The Wasp — 1893 — page 301: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* contains a satirical cartoon titled "Convincing Candor" depicting a flirtatious exchange between two characters identified as Mr. and Mrs. Softboy. The humor relies on marital dynamics: Mr. Softboy attempts flattery by claiming he loves an older woman as much as his wife, while Mrs. Softboy responds that married female friends repeatedly tell her this exact line—implying it's a worn-out seduction technique among husbands. The cartoon satirizes superficial male flattery and the predictability of infidelity excuses in early 20th-century society. Below the cartoon are period advertisements for a grand opening display of fall/winter fashions and exotic animal imports, typical commercial content for the magazine.