The Wasp, 1913 · page 74 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 74: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains narrative prose rather than a cartoon. It depicts a social encounter between a woman and a man named Burnham near Charles Town harbor. The satire concerns class perception: the woman observes Burnham's shabby appearance—torn linen shirt, missing stockings and shoes—yet notes his gentlemanly bearing, clean hands, and refusal to apologize for his condition. The humor lies in her realization that only a "man of breeding" would maintain dignity despite visible poverty. The brig *Virtue* anchored offshore appears significant, though its specific reference is unclear. Her startled reaction to his water-travel suggestion implies either surprise at the proposal itself or anxiety about traveling by boat—the satire's exact point remains somewhat ambiguous without fuller context about *The Wasp* magazine's themes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SS THE WASP 73 “Tt stands above the harbor of Charles Town,” she replied, her glance, full of curiosity and pity, dwelling upon the man’s torn shirt of fine linen. She took note of his shaven cheeks, and of the fact that his strong and shapely hands were clean and unblemished; also the fact that he had made no apologies for his shabby and scanty attire did not escape her. Any other than a man of breeding, she reflected, would have made all haste to explain the condition of his linen and the absence of stock- ings and shoes. Though somewhat daunted by the prospect of entering Charles Town, in the harbor of which the brig Virtue doubtless rode at anchor, Burnham let no sign of uncertainty or dismay touch his face. He turned slightly and pointed across the shim- mering sand to the little white boat. “T think you will find it more comfortable to make the journey by water than by land,” he said. “We can rig you an awning of the sail, and the lad and I can row the boat.” “By water!” she exclaimed in a startled voice. Comichooks.com