The Wasp, 1918 · page 215 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 215: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized fiction story rather than political satire. The narrative follows a sailor named Alexander Burnham, whose surname becomes a source of shame and wounded pride. The passage depicts Alexander's internal conflict after reconciling with a governor and a woman named Elizabeth. Though both show him kindness, Alexander torments himself believing their compassion stems from *pity* for his lowly surname rather than genuine regard. The satire targets masculine pride and class anxiety—a Burnham, apparently from a disreputable family, cannot accept kindness without interpreting it as condescension. The final line notes "The Tartar" (likely a ship) departing on a pirate-hunting cruise, suggesting this is a serial adventure tale rather than political commentary. The humor lies in Alexander's self-inflicted emotional torture over social status, a common theme in satirical literature about working-class pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
26 THE WASP strip you of your fine, false plumes, my girl. That is all’? Alexander avoided the governor and Eliza- beth until his excellency at last pocketed his official dignity and went aboard the sloop to come to an understanding with the sailor. Each apologized to the other halfa dozen times. They shook hands as often; and at last they went ashore together and up to Government House arm in arm. | Their friendship was an assured thing; but Alexander was not happy. He could not rid himself of the idea that much of the governor’s kindness to him was inspired by pity—by pity for him because his name was Burnham. ~ It was a hard pill for Alexander to swallow. — Half an hour later, when he sat in the garden with Elizabeth, his mind and heart were poisoned _ towards her with the same thought. For she, too, was very kind. A Burnham wants to be admired by the woman he loves, not pitied by her. Alexander could not deny, even to himself, that he loved Elizabeth. The Tartar went out of the little harbour again at an early hour of the morning on another cruise in search of pirates. ~ conalicbookss.cent)