The Wasp, 1918 · page 248 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 248: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a passage from a serialized narrative (likely a novel or novella) rather than a political cartoon. The text describes a dramatic revelation: Alexander Burnham learns that the notorious pirate ship "The Wasp" is captained by his brother, James Burnham, a man with a criminal past on the island of Nevis. The satire targets family shame and social hypocrisy. Despite James's notorious piracy and "bloody reputation," Captain Robinson and his officers agree to suppress the identity publicly—protecting the respectable Burnham family name while the criminal secretly operates. Alexander's reaction—indignation at *pity* rather than outrage at his brother's crimes—suggests the family's warped priorities: reputation matters more than morality. The passage critiques how Victorian-era institutions and "gentlemen" conspired to conceal scandal among prominent families, prioritizing social standing over justice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 239 . The colour died slowly out of Alexander’s face and his glance fell. Naas “ For my sake?” he queried. ‘‘ What d’ye mean ?”’ The old sailor explained his meaning, awk- wardly, kindly, ramblingly. ‘The notorious pirate who had made a bloody reputation for himself up and down the islands as the Wasp wasa Burnham. He had that on his back which proved it; and he had admitted that he was none other than James Burnham, the same who ~ had lived for some time on Nevis. Of course, the men knew about it and would talk; but Captain Robinson and the officers would keep . their mouths shut on the subject, and no official ~ announcements of the Wasp’s identity would be made. | Captain Robinson and the six officers present were all very sorry for Alexander, spoke of the respect in which the Burnham family was held, and hoped that Alexander would not allow the - behaviour of his brother to prey upon his mind. - Alexander listened with an ashen face and veiled eyes. He thanked the captain and the other gentlemen in a dull voice. He glanced around at-the pitying faces. Pity! Pity was ever a dose to offend a Burnham gullet. What | comichbooks.com