...of a prude

'You know, virgins are a bore,' said Gwen's boy friend to Sharon, though in a respectful tone. Toby was a bright, industrious young man, studying to be a doctor. He was twenty-three, and attended the same university as Gwen, fifty miles away. Toby had brought along two cuttings from women's magazines, which he thought would impress Gwen's mother (whom he rightly supposed was the origin of Gwen's scruples). He also had a newspaper cutting on the same subject written by a man sociologist. The authors of these statements held responsible positions in business and the professions, they weren't just beatniks, Toby pointed out. 'You see, there's no reason for a girl to be unpleasantly shocked when she's married. She ought to learn something, and so should the young man. Otherwise if both are virgins, it can be an awkward and even embarrassing experience for both.'

Sharon was shocked into a long silence of more than a minute. Her first impulse was to ask Toby to leave the house. She laid the cuttings to one side, on a wine table, as if the very paper they were printed on were filthy. It was plain to Sharon that all Toby wanted was that, whereas until now he had spoken of marriage to Gwen. He'd even spoken to Matthew, and though the engagement had not been announced in the newspapers, Sharon and her husband considered it official. The marriage was to take place next June, after Gwen's graduation. Sharon managed a small smile. 'I daresay after you've - taken advantage of my daughter, you won't be interested in marrying her, will you?'

[The Prude, Highsmith, P.]