Dollie. (Jumps up.) Goodness me, he’s not a he. He’s a girl! (All laugh.) Such a ridiculous mistake! It would so mortify poor Willie if she were here. She’s such a dear, timid little thing; why, she hardly dares breathe.
Daisy. What a funny name for a girl, anyway.
Dollie. Poor thing, she can’t help it. Parents old fashioned you know, and like men well enough to want their names.
Pres. The name is very good since it is borne by a woman. The new woman will not only do as she pleases, but call herself what she pleases. She will not await the pleasure of some man to bestow his precious name on her. I never saw the man whose name I wanted.
Birdie. (Rises.) Nor have I, the presumptuous creatures. When they fit themselves to be the companions of the nobler sex it will be time enough for them to ask our friendship only, and for us to refuse if we choose.
Pres. And we also assume the right to ask instead of waiting patiently like slaves in a market. The new woman will be no slave.
Chorus. Never!
Pres. I believe the next business is to consider the applications for new members to the “New Woman’s Anti-homo Club.” (To sec.) What applications are there to come up to-day? (Members begin an epidemic of whispering.) Order please, ladies! (Brief lull which ends in a general buzz.)
Sec. (Reads.) The first name is Miss Ernestine Arlington.