"I have only one question to ask you now. Shall we tarry here as these others are doing?"
"No, I am incapable of such restraint. My impatience is too great."
"Very well. We will go directly to your cabin and you will teach me as you have promised to do. I hope that I will be an accomplished pupil and not disappoint you in any way."
"I hardly think that you will disappoint me, my darling."
"How can you be sure? The old books say that a woman like myself, a woman who has always been—"
A slow flush crept up over her cheeks and she gripped his arm tightly. "Oh, I cannot say the word."
"You said it once before. A woman who is still virginal. That is not unusual at all. In fact, all of the non-love-privileged have been virginal, and only now—I am myself a virgin, although the term sounds a little ridiculous when it is applied to a man. But I cannot help that, and it is no disgrace, really, for it is common to us all. It is an absurdity which we shall soon put an end to."
"You mean to say—"
"Let us not be technical about it, my darling. According to the old books a man who has preserved his chastity is also called a virgin."
"And you have preserved yours? Are you telling me the truth?"