The Wasp — 1914 — page 79: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This appears to be a fictional narrative excerpt rather than a political cartoon. The text describes an encounter between a woman and a man named Burnham at Charles Town harbor. The woman observes Burnham's shabby appearance—his torn linen shirt, shaven cheeks, and lack of proper clothing—yet notes his refined bearing and clean hands, concluding he's "a man of breeding" fallen on hard times. Burnham proposes they travel by water to Charles Town, where a ship called the *Virtue* is anchored. The woman's startled exclamation "By water!" suggests surprise at this unconventional proposal. Without additional context about *The Wasp's* typical content or the surrounding pages, the satirical intent remains unclear. The passage may comment on class, appearances, or social pretense, but specific historical references are not evident.