The Wasp, 1918 · page 67 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 67: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a serialized narrative rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a scene between James Burnham (a gentleman in tattered clothes) and an injured young woman on a beach near Government House. The satire likely centers on **class contrast**: Burnham maintains "all the words and graces of a gentleman" despite wearing rags—a common Victorian literary trope exploring whether gentility is inherent or dependent on appearance and circumstance. The woman's surprise at his refined manner despite his ragged state suggests satirical commentary on social pretension and the arbitrary nature of class markers. The reference to "Government House" indicates this is set in a British colonial location (likely Australia or similar territory, given *The Wasp* was an American publication satirizing contemporary society). Without additional context about the serial's broader narrative or publication date, the specific satirical target remains unclear, though the juxtaposition of refined speech with poverty appears deliberately ironic.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
58 THE WASP - manner of man are you, to be here on this beach, in rags, and yet with all the words and graces of a gentleman ? ” James Burnham bowed again, and smiled. “TI thank you from the depths of my heart,” he said. ‘“ The truth 1 . I am a gentleman, and for the moment in a’ very critical situation. But let my unfortunate story wait until you are safely restored to the arms of your family. Is Government House to the left or the right, _ and how far away is it?” The young woman looked all Re her and studied the curving beach. She raised a hand to the small cut and angry bruise high upon her | white forehead. Todd stood and gaped at her in wonder. “* To the left,” she said, ‘ and fully four miles away. I do not know of any road from here other than the sea beach. I was inland—I know not how far—when my horse threwme. Imade | my way through the jungle to the sea, and I remember vaguely walking upon the hot sand as one walks in a nightmare. And then I must have fallen.” *““ It was when you fell thee I first saw you,” replied Burnham in a soothing voice. “ You were unconscious when I went to you. Thank mals | | icomichooks:com i,