The Wasp, 1913 · page 336 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 336: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized romantic narrative rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a dramatic moment in a love story: a man (whose surname is Willis) describes his family's modest but respectable landed wealth to a woman named Kitty, promising her security and comfort in a charming cottage. Their intimate moment is interrupted by a sudden knock at the door, and Kitty fears it's someone named James Burnham—apparently a rival or threat to her relationship. The passage emphasizes class anxieties typical of late 19th-century fiction: respectable middle-class stability versus potential social ruin. Without seeing accompanying illustrations or knowing the full serialized context, the specific satirical point remains unclear, though *The Wasp* likely used such romantic narratives for social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 329 and his right arm was about her slender waist. He told her of his people, of the old farmhouse, of the broad acres, of the sleepy village. His father was a substantial yeoman, proud of his class and his family traditions. His mother was the young- est daughter of a small country gentleman. There was a cottage of old pink brick in the vil- lage, its walls clambered over by climbing roses, which would be theirs for the asking. Even should his practice be small, want would not touch them. The gray face of want and the delirious glare of great riches had alike been unknown to any Willis for two hundred years. These things he whispered to her, and many more of a like nature. They soothed her hungry, wearied little heart like strains of heavenly music. A quick step sounded upon the stairs and a loud knock rang upon the door. Kitty’s heart jumped in her side, and a chill like the chill of death’s shadow went through her blood. Had James Burn- ham come? Was this paradise, upon the threshold of which she and her beloved stood, to be shattered from her hands and lips in shameful ruin? Comichooks.com