The Wasp, 1918 · page 19 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized story rather than a political cartoon. The narrative depicts a confrontation between two men: Burnham (seemingly the protagonist) and Master James, who is being banished from England. James is characterized as a wastrel—"a disgrace to the family"—who has cost his father money and shame. The older man (possibly James's father or guardian) accuses him of firing a pistol at an unarmed man over a "tailor's wench," suggesting a scandal involving a woman of lower social status. Burnham attempts civility, but the other man angrily defends family honor, invoking "the Burnham way." A character named Stow makes a cryptic final remark about denying something. Without additional context about The Wasp's publication date or this serialized story, the specific social satire remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
10 THE WASR : around him as he placed his hat and elaborate walking-cane on the carpet beside his large feet. He was booted and spurred. He was dressed in his best and looked like a prosperous country freeholder of the class just verging into the small gentry from the substantial yeomanry. He showed his native honesty and dignity in face and figure. Having surveyed the room, his bright blue glance returned to Lane teat: watchful and inscrutable face. ‘ “ Ye’re to leave England, Master James— aye, and alone,” he said. “‘ In money and shame | ye’ve cost yer father more than ye give any promise of ever being worth, though ye’d live a thousand years. Aye, ye’re a disgrace to the family and the name, Master James!” | “Try to be civil, my good eo replied Burnham quietly. ** Civility be blistered ! ” oe the other. “My heart burns at the thought of ye—of yer low deeds. To fire a pistol at an unarmed man ! That was never the Burnham way. And all about a tailor’s wench. And to turn highway- man atop of that! Lord save us!” : “ Highwayman!”’ queried James, with a shadow in his pale eyes. 7 “Ye need not deny it,” said Stow. “The iComichooks:com