Head of Department. She's about the best of them. A very clever girl. But you ought to see Malvolio! I don't care for Sir Andrew—
Father. Alice, look at him! Did you ever see anything so odd? Now I call that clever—I must say I call that clever! To think that's a girl—well, well! See him shiver, Alice! Capital, capital! Do they do this themselves—costumes and acting and ideas and all?
Head of Department. They make the costumes, I believe, most of them. Then they have a trainer at the last. It's amazing to me, but as a matter of fact their men's parts are as a rule, considering the proportionate difficulty, you know, much better than their women's. Comedy parts, at that. I've never seen but one woman's part really well done.
Father. Really? Now why do you suppose, sir, that is so?
Head of Department. I can't say. But they're very artificial women, as a rule. Overtrained, perhaps.
¶ A group of last year's graduates and two ushers on the platform of the fire-escape upstairs.
First Graduate. I suppose you're nearly dead, poor child?
First Usher. Heavens! I never slaved so in my life! Did you see Ethel Williams' mother insist on going down into her seat? I don't see how people can be so rude.
First Graduate. Going better, to-night, isn't it?
First Usher. Goodness, yes! I think it's fine. Don't you? Isn't Dick simply fine! There she is! (A burst of applause as Malvolio and Olivia enter.)