The Wasp, 1918 · page 210 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 210: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a literary excerpt rather than a cartoon page. The text depicts a social scene involving naval officers and sailors, likely from a serialized story in *The Wasp*. **Key figures:** Captain Cross, Willis (a young surgeon), Alexander, Stanton (a troublemaker), and Burnham (mentioned but absent or newly arrived). **The conflict:** Stanton, provoked by mention of Burnham's name, stares insultently at Alexander while the latter remains unaware. Cross and Willis discuss Stanton's problematic behavior, with Willis dismissing responsibility—suggesting Stanton poses a self-destructive threat ("let him die his own death"). **Social context:** The scene involves class distinctions (officers at separate tables from sailors), naval hierarchy, and interpersonal tension. Stanton's hostile reaction to Burnham's name suggests a personal rivalry or grudge, possibly over honor or a woman. **The satire's point:** Unclear without broader context, but the passage emphasizes masculine pride, naval culture, and the danger of uncontrolled rivalry among officers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 201 He knew Cross, Morton, Willis, and all the young men at the larger table, with the exception of Stanton. Before accepting the seat at the smaller table, which Captain Cross was quick to offer to him, he treated the captain and the other two gentlemen each to a searching glance; but he failed to detect anything of embarrassment _ or aloofness in their eyes or their manners. So he and the little reefer sat down, and each ordered a glass of wine. ; Several of the men at the other side of the room shouted the names of Alexander and the midshipman, lifted their brimming glasses of punch, and drank to the sailors’ healths. The sailors speedily returned the compliment. Stanton, attracted by the mention of the name of Burnham, sat back in his chair and stared across at Alexander with owlish but insolent eyes and a sneering mouth; but Alexander, who was looking at Cross, did not see it. *“ Stanton is at it again,” said Cross. “Is it safe, Willis ? ” aes _ “ He is out of my hands now,” replied the young surgeon. - ‘‘ Let him die his own death— a hoggish death—if he’s determined to kill himself. Mr. Burnham, your very good health! ” A disturbance arose at the other table. Stanton comichooks.com