THE MAIDEN. What does it matter what I did when I was a baby? Nothing existed for me then except what I tasted and touched and saw; and I wanted all that for myself, just as I wanted the moon to play with. Now the world is opening out for me. More than the world: the universe. Even little things are turning out to be great things, and becoming intensely interesting. Have you ever thought about the properties of numbers? THE YOUTH [_sitting up, markedly disenchanted_] Numbers!!! I cannot imagine anything drier or more repulsive. THE MAIDEN. They are fascinating, just fascinating. I want to get away from our eternal dancing and music, and just sit down by myself and think about numbers. THE YOUTH [_rising indignantly_] Oh, this is too much. I have suspected you for some time past. We have all suspected you. All the girls say that you have deceived us as to your age: that you are getting flat-chested: that you are bored with us; that you talk to the ancients when you get the chance. Tell me the truth: how old are you? THE MAIDEN. Just twice your age, my poor boy. THE YOUTH. Twice my age! Do you mean to say you are four? THE MAIDEN. Very nearly four. THE YOUTH [_collapsing on the altar with a groan_] Oh! THE MAIDEN. My poor Strephon: I pretended I was only two for your sake. I was two when you were born. I saw you break from your shell; and you were such a charming child! You ran round and talked to us all so prettily, and were so handsome and well grown, that I lost my heart to you at once. But now I seem to have lost it altogether: bigger things are taking possession of me. Still, we were very happy in our childish way for the first year, werent we? STREPHON. I was happy until you began cooling towards me.