The Wasp — 1891 — page 78: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts two figures in Victorian-era dress engaged in conversation. Based on the dialogue below the image, they appear to represent types rather than specific individuals—likely satirizing upper-class social pretension. The exchange mocks affected speech and social posturing: one character claims the other is "about right" and uses slang ("no use denyin' it"), while the response employs exaggerated formality ("An' I suppose we're the very pick, becuz past we he don't want me tew run 'wid doods, swells an' sech like!"). The satire targets class affectation and the gap between how people actually speak versus how they pretend to speak in polite society—a common theme in period satirical magazines mocking Victorian social pretension.