The Wasp, 1918 · page 129 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 129: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page depicts a confrontation between military officers and a civilian (James Burnham) over a romantic dispute. Captain Cross and Mr. Throgmorton are attempting to arrange a duel—Burnham has apparently kissed a lady in whom another man (Mr. Stanton) is interested. The satire targets the absurdity of honor-bound dueling culture among military men. Burnham strategically defuses the immediate threat by proposing a dawn meeting, buying time and suggesting his opponent is exhausted—a clever delay tactic that makes the whole affair seem ridiculous. The formal language and elaborate protocols around settling "private affairs" through violence are being mocked as overwrought and performative. This likely comments on late 19th-century military pretension and the persistence of dueling customs despite their illegality in most places. The humor lies in Burnham's shrewd maneuvering within the absurd system itself.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
120 THE W ASP. your own—for the honour of the regiment and — of their majesties’ uniform.” ‘“‘ Nothing else to be done, I assure you,” said Captain Cross. “If you don’t fight Mr. Burnham, my boy, you must fight me for taking advantage of me when in my cups and-drawing ~ me into a purely private affair. I’m not this gentleman’s guardian. If he wants to kiss a lady in whom you are interested, that is his concern—and yours and the lady’s.” “Tf you are armed,” said Mr. Throgmorton, “the little affair might be settled here and now. But I see that you are not armed. Very good ! Someone will have to return to barracks for - weapons and a lantern.” ‘“‘One moment, gentlemen, if. you please,” said James Burnham. “I have a suspicion that Mr. Stanton is not in such haste to deal with me but that he is willing to wait a few hours. A bath and a few hours of sleep on his part would put us on a more equal footing. What say you? Cannot we arrange for a meeting at dawn, on the sands at the cold spring? There is a secluded spot, with footing as level | as a floor. As to weapons—but who is the | challenger ? ” oe “This is very handsome of you, sir,” said icomicbooksicomy |