The arbitrary laws of a false civilisation are going to impose on you what you think are duties and obligations to me and to yourself--until I explain them away.

You must come to me in your perplexity, Louis, and give me a chance to remind you of the basic and proven proposition that a girl is born into this world as free as any man, and as responsible to herself and to others; and that her title to her own individuality and independence--her liberty of mind, her freedom to give and accept, her capability of taking care of herself, her divine right of considering, re-considering, of meeting the world unafraid--is what really ought to make her lovable." He had answered: "What rotten books have you been reading ?" And it annoyed her, particularly when he had asked her whether she expected to overturn, with the squab-logic of twenty years, the formalisms of a civilisation several thousand years old.

He had added: "The runways of wild animals became Indian paths; the Indian paths became settlers' roads, and the roads, in time, city streets.

But it was the instinct of wild creatures that surveyed and laid out the present highways of our reasoning civilisation.

And I tell you, Valerie, that the old ways are the best, for on them is founded every straight highway of modern thought and custom." She considered: "Then there is only one way left--to see you no more." He had thought so, too, infuriated at the idea; and they had passed a very miserable and very stormy afternoon together, which resulted in her crying silently on the way home; and in a sleepless night for two; and in prolonged telephone conversation at daybreak.