Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/207

Rh "Weep not, my child. Speak me boldly. I am thy mother, and it behoveth thee to conceal naught from me. Hath he done naught to thee as yet?"

The poor girl, having partly recovered, and being re-assured by her mother's words, ceased her tears, but could not yet make reply. Whereupon her mother asked again:

"Speak me boldly and put aside thy grief. Hath he done naught to thee yet?"

In a low voice, mingled with tears, the girl replied:

"On my word, mother, he hath never touched me yet, but, save for that, there is no man more kind or affectionate."

"Tell me," quoth the mother, "knowest thou if he be properly furnished with all his members? Speak boldly if thou dost know."

"By St. John! He is sound in that respect," replied the bride. "I have often, by chance, felt his luggage as I turned to and fro on our bed when I could not sleep."

" 'Tis enough," said the mother. "Leave the rest to me. This is what thou must do. In the morning thou must feign illness—e'en as though thy soul were about to depart thy body. Thy husband will, I expect full well, seek me out and bid me come to thee, and I will play my part so that thy business will soon be settled, for I shall carry thy water to a certain doctor, who will give such counsel as I order."