"Meanwhile," said I, "youth flies; and I may not lay a finger on
you to caress you."
"Not to caress me— as that woman did to you——"
"Lois!"
"I can not help it. There is in her— in all such women— a sly,
smooth, sleek and graceful beast, ever seeming to invite or offer a
caress——"
"She is sweet and womanly; a warm friend of many years."
"Oh! And am I not— womanly?"
"Are you, entirely?"
She looked at me troubled:
"How would you have me be more womanly?"
"Be less a comrade, more a sweetheart."
"Familiar?"
My heart was beating fast:
"Familiar to my arms. I love you."
"I— do not permit myself to desire your arms. Can I help saying
so— if you ask me?"
"When I love you so——"
"No. Why are you, after all, like other men, when I once
hoped——"
"Other men love. All men love. How c
