nervously began to tap her knees.
'Between what?' I said. 'Between a man and a woman?'
'Yes. . '
'The statues,' I continued, 'do not give you a very exact idea of the difference. I have often said to myself, when I have watched a bevy of our charming schoolgirls examining the statues, that this difference would be much more pronounced if the statues were real men, and if these men knew that they were the objects of the admiration of a number of pretty girls!'
Evelyn raised her great eyes to mine filled with a kind of mute interrogation.
'I don't understand what you mean?' said she after a short pause.
I hesitated for a moment but only for a moment Already I was plunging headlong into this delightful adventure, the memory of which, in its minutest details, will never leave me.
'You don't understand?' I resumed, moving a little closer to her, so that now our forms were actually in contact, and taking her little hand which she abandoned to me with a slight tremble of emotion. 'I will explain it to you. It's quite simple and these are things that a girl must know sometime or other; and, upon my word, in my opinion the sooner thy know them the better.' Her little hand seemed fairly to burn mine and her lovely eyes, full of curiosity, gazed into mine, and I felt that already a powerful tie existed between us. How completely I had forgotten the magnificent surroundings of sky and sea!
“You must have noticed that the statues of the men,' I observed, 'are not like those of the women?'
'Oh, yes, of course,' said she and her colour deepened. 'The forms are different.”
'Yes, the breasts of the women are much more developed, their waists are smaller, their hips are broader and fuller, the seat is much longer and plumper, and the thighs are bigger and rounder.
But there is something else too-! You know what I mean?'
'Yes,' she murmured.
A troubled look seemed to fill her eyes.
'And this something else,' I continued, 'did you notice how it is made?'
'I. . yes. . I think I noticed it. . '
'It is like a great fruit, as large as a peach, with a double kernel, isn't it? And hanging down over is a kind of appendage like a rolled-up loaf of flesh, which seems to wish to hide the fruit. . “
'Oh, yes, it's just like that!'
'That is the way sculptors represent what is called “the male organ”. But as a matter of fact it is not really made like that. This object which you have seen hanging down and lifeless is, in reality, the most sensitive, the most lively and the most changeable thing that it is possible to imagine. It is the most wonderful thing that exists and also the most precious, for it is capable of giving life and the most delightful pleasure.'
Evelyn was evidently much excited but her eyes avoided mine and she murmured, 'I think I understand. . It is with that. . that babies are made?'
'Exactly!'
'Then,' she continued, almost in a whisper, 'each time that. . that a man makes use of that thing is. . is a baby made?'
The laugh which this innocent question provoked in me completed Evelyn's confusion. She hid her lovely face, now blushing crimson, in her hands.
I whispered in her ear. 'Forgive me for laughing, but your innocence is perfectly charming. But how is it that you know so little about such things? Have your companions at school never told you about anything?'
'No,' said she. 'I am only sixteen and a half, and I shall not be able to join the society which I have mentioned to you till I am seventeen.'
'Tell me more about this society.'
'The older girls call it the Lesbian Society. I just long to be a member of it, as, indeed, do all the girls who are not yet seventeen. Oh, what jokes they must have together and what things they must do! If only, before joining the society, I could know as much as the seniors. What a score that would be, and how delighted I should feel!'
'Oh,' said I, 'there's no difficulty about that. You need only to have complete confidence in me, and to let me act as your instructor. It would be a great pleasure to me and a real advantage to yourself. And, in the first place, let me tell you that you have nothing to fear from me, nor from anyone else while I am looking after you. Now, tell me have you ever seen any naughty photos of cinema films?'
She shook her pretty head.
'No,' said she, 'but how I should love to see some.'
'Well, that could easily be managed, and you would then see how one can make use of what we were talking about just now without there being the slightest fear of a baby resulting! And this information I consider not only useful but absolutely necessary for a well-brought-up young lady.'
I must confess that so much candour, combined with such charming grace, excited me strangely. I took her soft delicate hand, which she abandoned to me readily, and continued, 'As we are both going to Paris, and as Paris above all other places lends itself to obtaining instruction in the matters in which you are so interested, we must arrange some plan which will, I think, be as simple as it will be certain. . “
'Oh, do go on!' said Evelyn.
'Well, this is my idea. When we are settled, you at your school and I at the British Embassy, I will write to you, pretending to be your uncle, and will offer to take you out for the afternoon. My letter, written on the official Embassy notepaper, will, I feel sure, have the desired effect and will readily induce your headmistress to let you come out with me. What do you think of my scheme?'
'It's splendid! but there's one thing I must tell you. Madame has a rule that no girl is ever allowed to go out alone with a gentleman, even if he is a near relation. . “
'What on earth is to be done then?'
'Wait a moment! If, however, the gentleman invites another girl to accompany his relation, then Madame never raises any objection.'
'Ah, really!' I said, feeling somewhat disappointed, for I did not care for this idea of a second girl, which might upset my plans.
'So, if you would invite Nora,' continued Evelyn calmly, 'the matter would go swimmingly, I'm certain.'
'Nora, and who may she be?'
'My friend, the girl I was telling you about Oh, she's perfectly charming and would be so delighted to know about. . about things!'
'Right you are then; by all means let Nora come too. You are sure we can trust her?'
'Absolutely certain.'
'She is a real friend? She has your tastes? She thoroughly understands you?'
'Nora is more than a sister to me. She seems to guess my thoughts almost before I have formed them; and then, if I am seedy, nobody knows how to comfort me as she does. Oh, her kisses are delightful; and sometimes she bathes me in her beautiful golden hair which is much finer than mine, and mine is generally considered rather nice. But the chief charm about her is her sweet manner, sometimes serious but more often roguish. Oh, you have no idea what a little darling she is!'
'Little?'
'Oh, that's only a way of speaking. She is about as tall as I am and rather bigger, and so chic, and has such a beautiful figure, and she dresses delightfully, almost like a Parisienne. But you will see! Oh, what splendid fun we three will have together-you see if we don't. . uncle!'
“Your uncle, Evelyn-you must let me call you by your Christian name — is delighted to have discovered a niece at once so fresh, so beautiful, so sensible and so eager for information. He undertakes to make you easily surpass in knowledge all the young ladies of the Lesbian Society, so that, when your age permits you to join the secret circle of this mysterious club, you will astonish your fellow members by your remarkable knowledge of matters which are always of the greatest interest to girls!'
And so we chatted on till the boat was about to enter the harbour of Boulogne where we parted with much mutual regret, lest the governess who had come to meet Evelyn should see us together. Short as had been our acquaintance we had indeed become good friends!
