The Wasp, 1913 · page 329 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 329: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is from a serialized narrative fiction piece, not a political cartoon. Chapter XIX depicts a melodramatic scene between characters named James Burnham, Kitty (presumably a wife), and references to Percy (her husband), Willis, and Bob. The scene shows James taunting Kitty by suggesting her husband Percy is cowardly—afraid to fight "the little man" (Willis) despite Willis's apparent threat. James presents himself as magnanimous, claiming he poses no danger to anyone, while psychologically manipulating Kitty by emphasizing Percy's fear. This appears to be Victorian-era serialized fiction emphasizing interpersonal drama and masculine honor codes around fighting and courage. Without additional context about the publication date and the broader narrative, the specific satirical or social commentary intent remains unclear, though the piece does explore themes of masculine courage and infidelity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
XIX J AMES BURNHAM looked down at the dis- tracted woman kneeling in supplication at his feet, and for a fleeting instant his face worked convulsively. Then he stepped back a pace, out of reach of her pleading hands, and laughed lightly. “Go back to the chair and sit down, my good girl,” he said. “Willis is in no danger from me, and never was. As for yourself, I would not harm a hair of your silly head. And now tell me, my dear, why Mr. Willis does not make an end of your precious husband? He’s a man, is Bob.” “He cannot force Percy to fight with him,” whis- pered Kitty. James smiled and brushed a perfumed handker- chief across his lips. The woman, now seated in the chair, continued to gaze at him in terror-stricken yet fascinated inquiry. “So!” said James. “Master Percy is afraid of the little man, of course; and yet he was a very 322 Comicinooks.com