CONFIDENCES _By the same author_ TRUTHS Talks With a Boy Concerning Himself _50 cents_. HERSELF Talks With Women Concerning Themselves _$1.00_. FALSE MODESTY _50 cents_. CONFIDENCES TALKS WITH A YOUNG GIRL CONCERNING HERSELF BY EDITH B. LOWRY, M.D. CHICAGO 1919 * * * * * _To the daughters of my friends, but especially to MARY LOUISE this little book is lovingly dedicated._ * * * * * PREFACE No one can come in contact with children and young people without feeling the need of a united effort on the part of the parents, physicians and teachers to lessen the immoral tendencies, with their degrading effects, to which the present generation is subjected. Knowledge of the right sort will prevent many wrecked lives. Ignorance as to facts and to the best manner of presenting them prevents many a parent from daring to trespass upon such sacred ground, and the instruction is postponed from day to day until it is too late. With the desire to aid mothers in giving the necessary instruction to their daughters, this little book has been written. The author has tried to tell in suitable language the facts that should be known by every girl from ten to fourteen years of age. The book is of such a character that it may be placed in the hands of the young girl, but better still it may be read aloud by the mother to her daughter. It is hoped this book will form the basis of a closer intimacy between mother and daughter, and that the knowledge herein set forth will forestall that which might be given in an entirely different spirit by the girl's companions. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The Secret II. The Flower Babies III. The Bird Babies IV. Mother's Baby V. The Baby's Nest VI. Building the Nest VII. The Sign Language VIII. Rest and Sleep IX. Injury of the Nest * * * * * In all places, then, and in all seasons, Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings, Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons, How akin they are to human things. Longfellow. * * * * * CHAPTER I THE SECRET Listen, Violet, I am going to tell you a wonderful secret. And this wonderful secret is about your namesakes, the violets. Every little flower that grows is a living being, as you or I--and every plant is a household. How do I know this? The flowers told me themselves, and now I am going to let you into the secret. Of course, I must admit that the flowers do not talk as we do. Unlike ourselves, they cannot express themselves aloud. They must show their thoughts by their motions or by their change of expression. When a flower is thirsty, how does it tell us so? By drooping its head and looking sad. Then, if we give it a drink, how quickly it says, "Thank you!" by lifting its head and smiling at us.