The Wasp, 1913 · page 236 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 236: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a literary excerpt rather than a cartoon page. It's a narrative scene depicting social tension aboard what seems to be a naval vessel, featuring officers and sailors named Alexander, Stanton, Captain Cross, Willis, Morton, and a midshipman. The passage describes a moment of class-conscious awkwardness: an unnamed figure (possibly Burnham, based on context) joins Captain Cross's table while others toast the sailors' health. The key dramatic moment involves Stanton—who appears excluded or resentful—staring at Alexander with "owlish but insolent eyes and a sneering mouth," unnoticed by Alexander himself. The satire likely critiques naval hierarchy, social pretension, or interpersonal dynamics aboard ship. Without seeing the actual illustration or knowing *The Wasp's* specific publication date and context, the exact satirical target remains unclear. This reads like a serialized story rather than standalone political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 231 Willis, Captain Cross, and Mr. Morton. He bowed to the company at large and went over to Cross’s table, with the midshipman at his heels. He knew Cross, Morton, Willis, and all the young men at the larger table, with the exception of Stan- ton. Before accepting the seat at the smaller table, which Captain Cross was quick to offer to him, he treated the captain and the other two gentlemen each to a searching glance; but he failed to detect anything of embarrassment or aloofness in their eyes or their manners. So he and the little reefer sat down, and each ordered a glass of wine. Several of the men at the other side of the room shouted the names of Alexander and the midship- man, lifted their brimming glasses of punch, and drank to the sailors’ healths. The sailors speedily returned the compliment. Stanton, attracted by the mention of the name of Burnham, sat back in his-chair and stared across at Alexander with owlish but insolent eyes and a sneering mouth; but Alexander, who was looking at Cross, did not see it. Comichooks.com