“'I do deny it,' I said weakly.
“'Oh come now! How about dancing—when a woman has a sinuous, clinging body and wears no corsets and—you know what I mean. Isn't that temptation?'
“'It's horrid of you, Kendall Brown, to suggest such things. Only a person with evil thoughts—'
“His eyes twinkled at me good-humoredly but I refused to be conciliated.
“'And how about the ancient and honorable practice of kissing?' he persisted. 'Of course it is not done any more, I realize that. No pretty woman in these austere days ever thinks of allowing a man to kiss her—except her husband, but—seriously, isn't kissing a temptation? Isn't it, Pen?'
“By this time my nerves were decidedly ruffled.
“'You are too foolish!' I stormed. 'I wish you would go home. I am tired of your ex-cathedra statements and your self-sufficiency.'
“'No,' he flung back, studying me with his keen gray eyes, 'you are tired of the truth.'”
CONCERNING THE DOUBLE STANDARD
With great diffidence I venture to say a word about the most perplexing and embarrassing question in the world: