# Kathleen — The Professor’s House character guide

> Kathleen in The Professor’s House by Willa Cather.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Little Kathleen

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i-the-family

## Snapshot

St. Peter's younger daughter, married to the touchy Scott McGregor, whose slender figure and hazel-green glints her father finds more charming than her sister's beauty.

## Who they are

Kathleen married before Rosamond, and her husband Scott McGregor is a restless, jealous man who prowls among the books at family gatherings. She is pale and spirited, with wide cheekbones and a figure her father likens to an interrogation point, and she occupies a quieter, more marginal place in the family's social ascent than her sister. Her marriage and her husband's resentment of Louie Marsellus add a note of friction beneath the St. Peter family's polished surface.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/book-i-the-family)

Shows concern for her father's well-being.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/i)

Another daughter, noted for her watercolor studies of her father and her dissatisfaction with the house.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/ii)

The younger daughter, described as slender and pale with hazel eyes. She is married to Scott McGregor and tries to manage his behavior.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/iv)

Reflected upon by St. Peter, remembering her as a student, her artistic talent, and her marriage to Scott McGregor.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/vii)

Struggles with intense envy of Rosamond's wealth and feels that her sister's new life has ruined their relationship.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/ix)

At the dinner, she observes the Marselluses. Driving home with Scott, she passionately declares her love for him and confirms he is the only one who knows about her past.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/x)

Giggles at Tom's fall on the stairs and later receives a turquoise from him.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xi)

Visits her father, tells him about Augusta's loss, and shares memories of Tom Outland.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as Scott's wife and potential recipient of furniture.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xvii)

Playfully questions Tom about his past, showing her familiarity and affection.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as one of the daughters, a result of the Professor's young manhood.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters/kathleen_st_peter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters