The Wasp, 1918 · page 18 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains serialized fiction rather than political satire or cartoons. It depicts a scene where James Burnham, apparently a dissolute young man, is confronted by William Stow, the steward of Sir Walter Burnham's estate. Stow expresses frank disapproval of James's behavior—cards and bottles scattered about at midday suggest gambling and drinking. Stow's dialect and working-class perspective create the satirical humor: his blunt moral judgment contrasts sharply with James's apparent indifference. The piece appears to satirize *class and moral decay* among English gentry, using Stow's loyal, disapproving servant voice as the moral arbiter. Without seeing the magazine's date or broader context, the specific social critique remains unclear, though the theme of aristocratic dissolution was common Victorian/Edwardian satirical fare.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP ee) t _.though his shoulders seemed to take on alert lines and his eyes turned toward the door. | The door was flung open and a large man with | -a grey moustache and brick-red face looked into j the room with.a pair of eyes as quick and bright _as blue lightning. oe | “So here you are, Master James!” he said - coolly. “Lord, an’ here’s a hogsty for your - father’s son!” he added in a voice of frank disgust. “ High noon, ’pon my soul, an’ the | eards still on the table an’ the bottles on the | floor. Ye’d look for more order an’ decency in a carter’s tavern—aye, and find it.” | Burnham smiled sardonically ; but a flicker of | hope shot up in his insolent eyes. This big man on the threshold was William Stow, Sir | Walter Burnham’s steward. He had been born iB on Burnham land, had served in the army in his youth, and since then had served the Burn- _hams for thirty years. He was now Sir Walter’s : I aightchand man. _ “Good morning to you, William,” said James. . Welcome to the pees Come in and sit _ down and give me the news.’ - Stow entered, closed the. door behind him, be Did sat down in a chair close to the untidy | table. He gazed curiously and_ scornfully - comichooks.com