You Who Hit the White

April the 21 in the year of our lord 1596

I was begging and pleading for Kate to untie me when our Father, Baptista Minola, walked in and demanded she let me go and as usual did the deed himself due to her stubbornness.

I have been taught in the ways of a lady, as my sister was but unlike her I have at least heeded them in my father's presence. I long for a day I can marry and rule my husband as Katharina will undoubtedly rule hers if she were ever to marry.

My sister is without suitors at all while I have beaus too numerous to count, chief among them are Gremio and Hortensio. Gremio is an old man though rich and well landed, Hortensio is even more so in every respect and even lewd when he believes me not in hearing distance. Lucentio, a young noble from Pisa, had devised a plan, he would have his servant pretend to be himself and he would be my tutor. While Gremio and have devised a plan of their own. I think I will lead young Lucentio to the altar; he seems the most easily controlled. But before I can do that, I  must wait for her to wed.

There is a man, Petruchio of Verona, whom Lucentio says may be able to help rid her of her stubbornness and will wed her just for the challenge of it. She has met him and now they sit speaking of my father's wish for him to marry her. I hope she minds her sharp tongue I would have her out and away so she could not disrupt my wedding to Lucentio.

April the 22 in the year of our lord 1596

Petruchio and Kate were wed this morning, and I am betrothed to Lucentio. There almost was not a wedding. Not only was Petruchio late, but also he came in wearing the most appalling clothes and had dressed his horse in the strangest of gear. He told us that it was the first step to taming the shrew. Lucentio is adorably doting, and I shall have my way with him soon. He is at my beck and call like any of the servants in our household and this pleases me very much.

We are to be wed May the 15th. Lucentio will not do such an embarrassing thing as Petruchio did; he is much too well trained. I think he will make a very nice and tolerable husband.

June the 24th in the year of our lord 1596

Kate came back to-day and brought with her, her appallingly rude husband. I am well settled into the life of Signior Lucentio's wife. Though who is the true life is a matter much speculated by the servants. Kate has been speaking of "obeying thy husband" and it sounds so unlike her I can only believe she is teasing or ill.

One of the servants had rushed in from his Master giving orders to Kate, the Widow, and I from our husbands saying they wished our company. I am no mule to be called when work needs be done, and told the man that I was not to be disturbed and to tell my illustrious husband so. The widow spoke and even harsher rebuke: "If my husband wish see me, come to me he shall." Only Kate went to her husbands call and came back dragging us with her to listen to the nonsense of holding thy husbands foot so he does not walk on the dirt. I only pray she become well again. Her husband must have done some horror to make her this way. But I must go and teach my own to never wager on my behavior again, for I am ruler in this household and he should know it.