The Wasp — 1921 — page 21: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents a dramatic dialogue between two characters: a General and Melanie (MEL), a woman alone in a deserted inn. The scene appears to satirize political intrigue and suspicion during a tense period—likely referencing assassination and military paranoia. Melanie deduces the General's identity and situation through careful observation: his high rank, anxious demeanor, barred windows, and recent arrival suggest he's hiding. She references an assassination that occurred "last night," implying the General is either fleeing danger or involved in conspiracy. The satire mocks militaristic anxiety and the General's attempts at secrecy being transparent to an observant woman. The final line—"I take off my hat to the ladies of Litova!"—suggests Melanie represents the sharp political awareness of women in this region. The specific historical context remains unclear without additional dating.