I did not care to begin just now, a conversation that might have a very unpleasant termination. But I could not repress the thought that 113 years ago the manners and morals were such, that lines were drawn between the two sexes that were invisible but still recognized by every one having a little sense of propriety, and that a man would hardly have felt as if he had been encouraged, if it were not the case. I entertained not the slightest doubt that Edith had behaved as well as any girl of her time. It was the consequence of the tendency to equalize everything that had, perhaps, effaced to a certain degree the fine lines existing 113 years ago between good women and men. I remembered my question put to Dr. Leete: “And so the girls of the twentieth century tell their love”? and the doctor’s answer: “If they choose. There is no more pretense of a concealment of feeling on their part than on the part of their lovers”.[21]—Yes, if girls tell their love just as men do, then the fine lines between the two sexes must be obliterated, and a feeling of repulsion and uneasiness took possession of me.
[21] Page 266.
“It may become necessary to place Mr. Fest, at least for a few months, under medical treatment”, remarked Dr. Leete thoughtfully. “He is certainly in a high state of excitement, and it is not unlikely that he may commit a rash act which he would repent afterwards”.
“One hundred and thirteen years ago we would have placed such a man under bonds to keep the peace,” I said, considering with terror the idea, that a man could be placed in an insane asylum for uttering a few rash words.
“And if, in violation of his bond, he committed a breach of the peace”, said the doctor, “what did you then do with such a man”?
“We punished him according to the laws covering the case, either by imprisonment or by a fine, or in cases of murder, by putting the criminals to death”.
“We place a man in whom atavism makes its appearance, in a hospital where competent physicians take care of him until they consider him sufficiently cured to be released”, said Dr. Leete, with an expression of great satisfaction and kindness, as he lighted a fresh havana cigar.
“I think you are running no great risk, papa, if you allow that man to attend to the duties of his position”, Edith remarked. “He is quick tempered and hot headed; but he will soon become composed”.
“I am not so sure about that”, Dr. Leete said slowly. “I remember that he has always shown deep strong feeling whenever he had set his heart upon anything. He may, and he may not, calm down. It is dangerous to take any chances with such a man”.
Conflicting sentiments and ideas filled my heart and head. I felt that if I continued the conversation it might end in a conflict with Dr. Leete, and I was in no mood to engage in any discussion with him. So I excused myself on the plea of a bad head ache, and left the house to take a walk.