ThemomentHaroldbecameconsciousofSelina’sstealthyapproach，hedroppedhispencilandflunghimselfflatuponthetable，protectingthushisliteraryeffortsfromchillingcriticismbytheinterposedthicknessofhisperson。Fromsomewhereinhisinteriorproceededaheartrendingcompoundofsquealandwhistle，asofescapingsteam，——long-drawn，earpiercing，unvaryinginnote。
\"Ionlyjustwanttosee，\"protestedSelina，strugglingtouproothissmallbodyfromthescrawlitguarded。ButHaroldclunglimpet-liketothetableedge，andhisshrillprotestcontinuedtodeafenhumanityandtothreateneventheserenitiesofOlympus。Thetimeseemedcomeforademonstrationinforce。
PersonallyIcaredlittlewhatsoul-outpouringsofHaroldwerepiratedbySelina——shewasprettysuretogetholdofthemsoonerorlater——andindeedIratherwelcomedthediversionasfavourabletotheundisturbedpursuitofArt。Buttheclannishnessofsexhasitsunwrittenlaws。Boys，assuch，aresufficientlyputupon，maltreated，troddenunder，asitis。
Shouldtheyfailtohangtogetherinperiloustimes，whatdisasters，whatignominies，maynotbelookedfor？Possiblyevenanextinctionofthetribe。Idroppedmypaintbrushandsailedshoutingintothefray。
Theresultforashortspacehungdubious。Thereisaperiodoflifewhenthedifferenceofayearortwoinagefaroutweighstheminoradvantageofsex。ThenthegathersofSelina’sfrockcameawaywithasoundliketherattleofdistantmusketry;andthiscalamityitwas，ratherthanmerebrutecompulsion，thatquelledherindomitablespirit。