s a constant preoccupation with sexual mysteries and the
necessity of talking about them perpetually.

Another lady collaborator who had lived in a Normal school had had
somewhat wider experiences. She entered at the age of 14 and experienced
the usual loneliness and unhappiness of a new pupil. One day as she was
standing pensive and alone in a corner of the room, a companion--one who
on her arrival had been charged to show her over the college--ran up to
her, "embracing me, closing by mouth with a kiss, and softly caressing my
hair. I gazed at her in astonishment, but experienced a delicious
sensation of supreme comfort. Here began the idyll! I was subjected to a
furious tempest of kisses and caresses which quite stunned me and made me
ask myself the reason of such a new and unforeseen affection. I
ingenuously inquired the reason, and the reply was: 'I love you; you
struck me immediately I saw you, because you are so beautiful and so
white, and because it makes me happy and _soothes_ me when I can pass my
hands through your hair and kiss your plump, white face. I need a soul and
a body.' This seemed to me the language of a superior person, for I could
not grasp all its importance. As on the occasion when she first embraced
me, I looked at her in astonishment and could not for the moment respond
to a new fury of caresses and kisses. I felt that they were not like the
kisses of my mamma, my papa, my brother, and other companions; they gave
me unknown sensations; the contact of those moist and fleshy lips
disturbed me. Then came the exchange of letters and the usual rights and
duties of 'flames.' When we met in the presence of others we were only to
greet each other simply, for 'flames' were strictly prohibited. I obeyed
because I liked her, but also because I was afraid of her Othello-like
jealousy. She would suffocate me, even bite me, when I played, joyously
and thoughtlessly, with others, and woe to me if I failed to call her when
I was combing my hair. She liked to see me with my hair down and would
rest her head on my shoulder, especially if I were partially undressed. I
let her do as she liked, and she would scold me severely because I was
never first in longing for her, running to meet her, and kissing her. But
at the same time the thought of losing her, the thought that perhaps one
day she would shower her caresses on others, secretly wounded my heart.
But I never told her this! One day, however, when with the head