The Wasp, 1918 · page 203 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 203: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains narrative fiction rather than a cartoon. It depicts a romantic scene between a man (appears to be a naval officer or "Captain Nash") and a woman named Elizabeth, likely set in a Caribbean colonial setting (references to Nevis, Barbados). The passage describes the man kissing Elizabeth's hand before departing, then her emotional reaction. Subsequently, a letter arrives from "Sir Walter Burnham" addressed to Captain Nash—described as "heartless and just"—which deeply disturbs him, causing him to burn it. The satire likely concerns colonial naval or political intrigue, with the letter presumably revealing consequences for Nash's romantic entanglement or conduct. The contrast between the tender scene and the harsh letter's effect suggests mockery of either romantic folly among military men or the cold calculations of imperial authority. Without additional context about the magazine's date and the specific historical figures referenced, the precise satirical target remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
194 THE WASP — of her perfect lips. ‘‘ They all seem brave and honourable and wondrous polite to me.” ‘© We are well enough in our way, I have no | doubt,” he said gravely ; “ but—but you would not understand. Most of us are brave, and if we happen to be gentlemen, we: have good manners ; but—well, I talk like a fool. You will forgive me, I hope. You are kind.” . He stooped suddenly, lifted her right hand, and pressed his lips to it. He let it fall, turned, _ and walked swiftly away. Elizabeth raised her hand close to her eyes” and looked at the back of it. She returned it to her lap and‘sat motionless for many minutes, —| gazing straight in front of her. Soon she began __ to laugh softly ; and finally, reflecting on the dangers of pirate-hunting and the queerness of mankind, she fell to weeping. Ten days after the sloop-of-war’s departure from Nevis a small trader came in with English mails from Barbados. Among the governor’s letters was one from Sir Walter Burnham. It was a caution and a disclosure in one, short and to the point. It was heartless and just. - Captain Nash read it slowly again and again with staring eyes, and purpling face. At last | he burned it, rubbed the black flakes to powder eomicbooks: EO |