She was still a child, no doubt, but a child ripening into womanhood.

She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.

At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.

The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood's innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.

This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.