as she recovered herself and finished kissing me. "What
exquisite pleasure! We ought to go on, but I must not run the risk;"
and springing off me, in spite of my efforts to detain her in my arms,
she proceeded to syringe herself most effectually with an enema, using
a very slight solution of sulfate of zinc, which will always prevent
impregnation if done quickly after coition. As she explained to me, the
critical moment such as we had just experienced only happened now and
then, but that the female had such a very peculiar sensation, she could
not possibly mistake it, and only a careless girl, or one who really
wished for a child, would neglect to syringe the moment it was all over.

Gertie had me to herself for some days, before Mary returned, but my
vision had never lost its effects on my mind.

Auntie was very reluctant to give up her charge, but there was no
available excuse. She admonished me to be very circumspect and we would
enjoy ourselves every possible chance. "Some night," she whispered,
"you can steal into my room when Mary is asleep, but don't let her know
anything, or you will be sent away, my love."

The short time that Mary had been away, seemed to have worked quite a
change in her manner towards me, she seemed to have grown suddenly shy
and reserved, and the first night even neglected to give me the usual
conventional kiss, and when she retired herself, was very careful to
put out the light before doing certain little things.

"All right, my beauty," I thought to myself. One good night's rest,
then for an explanation or else something better.

She was restless, and as I lay awake, thinking aver all my game with
Auntie Gertie, Mary was tossing about and unsettled. I could hardly
restrain myself from jumping up and getting into her bed.

At length her heavy breathing told me she slept, but evidently
dreaming, as I could hear little words now and then, such as: "Don't
Georges--you shan't--indeed you shan't--I'll slap your face if you go
on so."

Sleep overcame me at last, and when I opened my eyes in the morning she
had left the room. All day my eyes feasted on Mamma and I could see
Gertie pouting with vexation at my evident desire for the maternal
connexion. This served my purpose exactly, as it took away all
suspicion of my design upon Mary.

"Don't look at Mamma like that, Percy, or I shall begin to dislike you,
my boy, and shan't let you love me again," she whispered, when she got
me alone.