The Wasp, 1918 · page 68 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 68: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains serialized fiction rather than political satire or cartoons. It's a dramatic narrative excerpt, likely from a novella titled "The Wasp," depicting an encounter between a gentleman named Burnham and a woman near Charleston harbor. The social commentary is subtle: Burnham, despite shabby clothing and apparent poverty, maintains aristocratic bearing and "breeding"—he doesn't apologize for his torn linen or missing shoes, which the woman recognizes as a mark of true gentility. The satire seems directed at class pretense: a man of lower birth would desperately explain away such appearance, but Burnham's dignified silence paradoxically demonstrates his superior social status. The woman's alarm at water travel suggests narrative tension—perhaps she fears encountering "the brig Virtue" anchored in the harbor, hinting at complications in their encounter.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
_ THE WASP ~ 59 God that my seeming misfortunes threw me upon this shore! But to return to the matter in hand, madam. Is the residence of your father near any harbour ?” “It stands above the harbour of Charles Town,” she replied, her glance, full of curiosity and pity, dwelling upon the man’s torn shirt of fine linen. _ She took note of his shaven cheeks, and of the fact that his strong and shapely hands were clean and unblemished; also the fact that he had made no apologies for his shabby and scanty attire did not escape her. Any other than a man of breeding, she reflected, would have made all haste to explain the condition of his linen and the absence of stockings and shoes. Though somewhat daunted by the prospect of entering Charles Town, in the harbour of which the brig Virtue doubtless rode at anchor, Burn- ham let no sign of unceftainty or dismay touch his face. He turned slightly and pointed across _ the shimmering sand to the little white boat. * 1 think you will find it more comfortable to make the journey by water than by land,” he said. “ We can rig you an-awning of the sail, and the lad and I can row the boat.” — —“ By water!” she exclaimed in a startled voice. The expression of her eyes changed, 3 comichooks.com