The Wasp — 1914 — page 248: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains narrative prose rather than a cartoon. It depicts a fictional scene aboard the ship *Le Diable*, where the character John Trimmer debates a business strategy with his officers. The passage satirizes Trimmer's vanity and ambition. He considers operating two ships instead of one to accumulate wealth faster, viewing himself as superior to his predecessor, Hellfire Hicks. Slim Sam and First Mate James Burnham oppose the plan, identifying its single weak point—though the text cuts off before revealing what that weakness is. The satire mocks Trimmer's ego and greed, suggesting his desire for social advancement (retiring to England "like a squire") drives reckless decision-making. The officers represent the voice of caution against such hubris.