I was born _reserved_ as to endearments of speech and caresses, and hers broke upon me as the summer waves break upon Gibraltar.

I was reared in that atmosphere of reserve.

As I have already said, in another chapter, I never knew a member of my father's family to kiss another member of it except once, and that at a death-bed.

And our village was not a kissing community.
The kissing and caressing ended with courtship--along with the deadly piano-playing of that day.
She had the heart-free laugh of a girl.

It came seldom, but when it broke upon the ear it was as inspiring as music.