Act 1 — SCENE 3.—The same room. Evening.
Reading edition
KATE alone.
Kate. Not let me in! We'll see. I'll beat 'em yet. To think that down in Canterbury, girls, Like my poor self, have had the badge bestowed That I so fondly covet. To think that they Enjoy the rights I ask, and have received The Cambridge University degree, B.A. Not only wear the gown and cap As college students, but the hood. The hood! And shall Macaulay's proud New Zealander Thus sit on me? Not if I know it. No! I'll don the dreadful clothes, and cheat the Dons.
[She goes to the window.
The blinds are down, the shutters closed, the slats As well, surely no one can see.
[She takes up a man's coat and looks at it, then the vest, then the pants.
I'll do't!
[Invests herself in the masculine apparel. A knock at the door. She starts and turns pale.
A Voice. Katie, dear!
Kate. Pshaw! 'tis only Orphea!
[She unlocks the door.
(In masculine tones.) Come in, dear coz.
[Attempts to kiss her, but receives a slap in the face.
Orphea. How dare you, sir! Oh! let me out.
Kate (in natural voice). Orphea, you goose!
Orphea Oh, Kate, you did so scare me!
Kate. And is it then a good disguise?
Orphea. 'Tis poor old Tom again.
Kate. But how essay it in the street and hall?
Orphea. Well, there's the gown to help. 'Twill cover all.
Kate. And then the cap? But that I do not mind; My Derby hat has used me to a style A trifle jaunty, and a hard stiff crown; So if my hair prove not too trying I yet may like to wear the "mortar-board," If still they wear such things.
Orphea. Oh, Kate, it is an awful risk!
Kate. Awful, my dear; but poor mamma Thinks I'm an awful girl. If she but knew— Yet might I plead that men and women oft Have done the same before; poor Joan of Arc; Portia; and Rosalind. And I have heard That once Achilles donned the woman's garb: Then why not I the student's cap and gown?