The Wasp, 1918 · page 123 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 123: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized fiction story rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a dramatic scene set on the island of Nevis featuring characters named James Burnham and Kitty Trimmer. The narrative describes Burnham preparing for a clandestine meeting by gathering money and sending his servant Henry Todd away with twelve guineas. Burnham then waits on a secluded hillside path where Kitty Trimmer arrives on horseback. Their tense encounter suggests romantic or illicit intrigue—Kitty's nervousness ("unsteadily," "small face flamed") contrasts with Burnham's composed, predatory demeanor ("glinting eyes and smiling lips"). Without additional context about *The Wasp* magazine's publication date or the story's broader narrative, the specific satirical or political purpose remains unclear. This could be social satire about colonial relationships, scandal, or seduction, but the page alone doesn't confirm the intended target.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
114 THE WASP ~ eagerly, but unpleasantly. He had a few days of life on Nevis remaining to him, and he decided to make the most of them. He locked the door of his room, drew his money from a safe hiding- place in the bed, and counted it. Then he put it away, unlocked his door, o shouted for Henry Todd. Henry Todd was dostle in his devotion to James Burnham. He came now, listened atten- tively to his master’s instructions, hid twelve guineas on his person, and went away. In the cool of the early evening Burnham strolled out upon the hills. He reached a se- cluded spot, a little natural nook beside the hill- path shaded by mango trees, and waited. He did not have to wait long. He soon heard the tattoo of hoofs on the hard trail. A grey pony and its rider appeared around a green corner. Kitty Trimmer drew rein. Burnham laid a hand on the pony’s neck and regarded the young woman with glinting eyes and smiling lips. She returned the gaze for a second, then glanced ~ hastily aside. Her small face famed. ‘“‘T am here,” she said unsteadily. ‘ What is it you want to say to me? Be quick with it, please.” *“* There is no need for haste that I can see,” comicdooks.com |