The Wasp, 1918 · page 294 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 294: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **not a political cartoon** but rather **serialized fiction**—Chapter XIX of a narrative story appearing in *The Wasp* magazine. The text shows a dramatic scene between characters named James Burnham, Kitty, and references to Percy, Willis, and Bob. The scene depicts James confronting a distressed woman (Kitty) about her husband Percy's apparent cowardice or fear—specifically his unwillingness to fight someone (Willis or Bob) in what appears to be a duel or combat. James seems to be manipulating or taunting Kitty with information about Percy's past swordsmanship, implying shame or hypocrisy. Without additional context about the serialized story's plot, political allegory, or publication date, I cannot definitively identify whether this represents specific real historical figures or events, or explain the satirical intent beyond the interpersonal drama visible on this page alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
XIX James Burnuam looked down at the distracted woman kneeling in supplication at his feet, and for a fleeting instant his face worked convulsively. Then he stepped back a pace, out of reach of her . pleading hands, and laughed lightly. ** Go back to the chair and sit down, my good girl,” he said. ‘* Willis is in no danger from me, and never was. As for yourself, I would not harm a hair of your silly head. And now tell me, my dear, why Mr. Willis does not make a end of your precious husband ? He’s a man, is Bob.” “He cannot force Percy to fight with him,” whispered Kitty. James smiled and brushed a perfumed hand- kerchief across his lips. ‘The woman, now seated in the chair, continued to gaze at him in terror- stricken yet fascinated inquiry. - “So!” said James. “ Master Percy is afraid of the little man, of course; and yet he was a very good swordsman when I fought him that ss d no as ‘comicbooks.con