"Zoe, the world of human beings is divided into two great classes, isn't it? Boys and girls."
"Oh, I know! It's me and Gerald."
"In a way, yes, but—"
"If me and Ethel kiss, it isn't sex, but if me and Gerald kiss, it is."
"If only you wouldn't keep your mind running ahead. I want to be so sure you are going to understand. That's what our botany and physiology study has been for. To prepare you to understand. Now take the kingdom of flowers, a rose, for instance—"
"Begin with us, Lilly. I don't want to hear any botany."
"But, Zoe—"
"Storks cannot bring babies, can they?"
"No. No. Who put such silly nonsense into your head? Don't let that stupid fable hide from you the beautiful truth of birth. That is an absurd story, Zoe, invented by those to whom the most sublime fact in the world seems nasty. Babies are born, dear—out of lo—out of the union of the sexes."
"Lilly, you are all trembling."