The Wasp, 1918 · page 94 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 94: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains no cartoon or satirical visual content—it's prose fiction, specifically Chapter VI of what appears to be a serialized novel in *The Wasp* magazine. The text describes a tense social moment: James Burnham encounters Mr. Percy Stanton (identified as an "ensign," suggesting military context) and experiences a moment of deep consternation before recovering his composure. The scene then shifts to a formal breakfast gathering with a governor and various officers. **What's unclear:** Without seeing preceding chapters, I cannot identify who these characters are, what Burnham's conflict with Stanton represents, or what political/social satire (if any) *The Wasp* intended this serialized fiction to convey. The passage reads as straightforward narrative rather than obvious satire. To understand the satirical intent, one would need the story's full context and knowledge of what *The Wasp* was satirizing during its publication period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VI James Burnuam’s consternation upon behold- ing Mr. Percy Stanton was deep and acute, but the recovery of his amazing self-control was as quick as light. His glance passed unconcernedly from the en- sign’s face, and again went lightly over the group of visitors. It finally came to rest on an open doorway beyond the officers, where flickering leaf-shadows patterned flags of grey stone. The formal greetings were soon finished. Burnham wasintroduced to several of the officers. All were invited to remain to the elaborate breakfast of that period and that country, — _which would be served at half-past ten o’clock. — The company broke into groups and pairs, laughing and chatting. The governor and young Willis moved among them, asking about the voyage, showing the way to seats, beckoning to footmen freighted with trays of tall glasses. Burnham assisted in the duties = of hospitality with a calm face and veiled eye. 85 comichooks.com