The Wasp — 1914 — page 37: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains no visible cartoon or illustration—it's purely text describing a character named Peter Queery, described as one of James Burnham's "new companions." The passage is satirical character portraiture. It mocks Queery as a pompous, self-important man of about forty who dresses expensively and speaks with affected politeness. The satire targets his transparent social climbing: he treats Burnham with exaggerated deference to suggest they're equals to his "worthless companions," while making clear he considers himself above the reckless group Burnham associates with. The text implies Queery is using Burnham as a social stepping stone to access "more respectable circles." Without knowing the original publication date or Burnham's identity, the specific context remains unclear, but the satire critiques social pretension and status-seeking.