The Wasp, 1918 · page 87 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 87: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains dialogue from a serialized story rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a gentleman named Burnham (apparently English, awaiting funds from England) graciously *refusing* financial assistance from a governor—identified as Captain Nash—despite the captain's insistence on repaying a debt. The satire targets *excessive gratitude and social obligation*. The governor feels indebted because Burnham saved his daughter's life, and wants to advance him money. Burnham's refusal is portrayed as dignified: he accepts only hospitality and asks the governor to inform a tailor of his circumstances (so he can obtain credit). He even offers to work as a secretary. Captain Nash is "vastly relieved"—the humor lies in his fear that Burnham would demand substantial funds. The satire appears to mock either Americans' anxieties about English gentlemen's financial expectations, or to celebrate Burnham's honorable restraint as a contrast to expected mercenary behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
78 | THE Wasp ‘I shall be only too pleased to advance you ~ whatever sum you may require-while waiting for a reply from your agents,” said the governor || cordially. “I should do much more than that | on either one of two counts. In the first place I owe to you the life of my only child; in the second, you are a gentleman in sorry distress, and that through no fault of your own.” ““T can see nothing of the nature of distress — about my present circumstances,” replied Burn- ‘| ham, smiling from one to the other of his visitors. ~ : “Tf you can possibly consider my services to | your daughter as the means of saving her life, | then the consciousness of well-doing is all the || reward I ask. In short, sir, | must refuse your | very generous offer to advance me money. If | you will be so gracious as toextend your hospital- | ity to me until such time as I hear from England, and to make my condition known to a tailor, || I shall not stand in any need of funds. And I | shall be happy to assist you as a secretary, or | in any capacity during the pened of 7 | a remittance from my agents.” Captain Nash wagged his head, but at the same ‘ | time he looked pleased and vastly relieved. || The fact is, he had feared that the young man | would want to borrow a considerable sum of || Pert icomichooks:com