Chapter 16

_Enter boarding-house mistress_.

_Kate_. Yes, nursey, I'll be quick, but mind your words And looks, and do not make mistakes.

_Nurse_. Oh no, Miss Kate--or Mr. Christopher, As that's the name you've chose, I'll not mistake.

_Kate_. And always mind and keep my room, My time and liberty, intact, and so You'll make it easier for me to obtain By surreptitious means, the rights I should Enjoy in happier sort.

_Nurse_. I'll do my best, Miss Kate.

[_Exit_ Nurse.

_Kate (in masculine attire, about to descend to the breakfast table, turns once more to the mirror)_. Oh, Harberton, Hadst thou but taught the world The beauty of thy new divided skirt Ere I was born, this had not now been thus. This blush, that burns my cheek, had long been past; These trembling limbs, that blench so from the light, Had gotten strength to bear me manfully. Oh for the mantling night, when city fathers save the gas, and Luna draws her veil!

[_She sits down on a box_.

Away, weak tears! I must be brave and show myself a man, Nay, more, a student, rollicking and gay. Would I could feel so! (_Sniffs at the air_.) Somebody smokes, And before breakfast; pah, the nasty things! Would I could smoke! They say some women do; Drink toddy, too; and I do neither: That's not like a man; I'll have to learn. But no! my soul revolts; I'll risk it. Surely there are among a studious band Some who love temperance and godly life. That's the crowd I'll join. They will not plunge into Those dreadful orgies that the _Globe_ describes, Of men half-tight with lager and old rye, Who waylay freshmen and immerse them in The flowing wave of Taddle, _Horrors! Why, I shall be a freshman!_ If they touch me I'll scream! ah--ha, I'll scream! Scream, and betray my sex? No, that won't do; At Rome I'll have to be a Roman; And, to escape that dread ordeal, I Shall cringe and crawl, and in the presence of A fourth year man step soft and bow, And smile if he but condescend to nod. Oh, yes, I'll do't. In tableaux once I played Uriah Heep, and made the character So "'umble" and so crawly, that for days I loathed my hands, and slapped my fingers well For having knuckles. Thus will I to the tyrant play the slave. An old antithesis.

[_Some one calls at the door_.

Yes, yes, I'm coming, Hannah. Now for that dreaded step yclept the first, Pray Heaven it may cost most; but that I doubt.

[_Descends to the breakfast table_.