"It is a funny story." "There is nothing funny whatever in it," said I."A girl like you oughtn't to know of the existence of such things." "Why not ?" asked Carlotta.
I am always being caught up by her questions.

I tried to explain; but it was difficult.

If I had told her that a maiden's mind ought to be as pure as the dewy rose she would not have understood me.

Probably she would have thought me a fool.

And indeed I am inclined to question whether it is an advantage to a maiden's after career to be dewy-roselike in her unsophistication.