The correct answer is As a hairy monster
Answer:
This says Mrs. White has a sense of reason that Mr. White may lack. She doesn't have a competitive sense that her husband has.
Explanation:
"Father and son were at chess, the former, who possesses ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.
"Never mind, dear," said his wife soothingly; "perhaps you'll win the next one."
A step-dame (stepmother) and dowager (widow holding property for her deceased husband) would make their son (or stepson) wait until they die to inherit all of the land or money.
Theseus is saying that he is tired of waiting for his wedding day to Hippolyta, comparing himself to that 'young man' waiting for his dowager or stepdame to die because to him, Hippolyta is a great fortune.
