"Again I bit my lip, for I knew very well that the religious life would never satisfy me. If I entered a convent I should probably run away from it in despair. What a horrible situation to want to do right and long to do wrong at the same time! "Kendall Brown must have read my thoughts. "'There is one thing you self-pitying ladies must learn,' he went on, 'that is to play the game of life according to the rules. You can't have your cake and eat it. You can't amuse yourselves with fire without getting burned.' "I was silent. "'You must stop flirting with temptation--that's what you all do, you pretty women, fascinating women. You can't deny it.' "'I do deny it,' I said weakly. "'Oh come now! How about dancing--when a woman has a sinuous, clinging body and wears no corsets and--you know what I mean. Isn't that temptation?' "'It's horrid of you, Kendall Brown, to suggest such things. Only a person with evil thoughts--' "His eyes twinkled at me good-humoredly but I refused to be conciliated. "'And how about the ancient and honorable practice of kissing?' he persisted. 'Of course it is not done any more, I realize that. No pretty woman in these austere days ever thinks of allowing a man to kiss her--except her husband, but--seriously, isn't kissing a temptation? Isn't it, Pen?' "By this time my nerves were decidedly ruffled. "'You are too foolish!' I stormed. 'I wish you would go home. I am tired of your ex-cathedra statements and your self-sufficiency.' "'No,' he flung back, studying me with his keen gray eyes, 'you are tired of the truth.'" CONCERNING THE DOUBLE STANDARD With great diffidence I venture to say a word about the most perplexing and embarrassing question in the world: _Shall men be allowed to do certain things without any particular punishment or social condemnation, while women are punished mercilessly for doing these same things--things that men compel them to do?_ The double standard! Shall women try to change this standard, and, if so, in which direction--up or down? Is it desirable that the weaker sex be given more liberty in emotional matters, or that the stronger sex be given less liberty? I know that some distinguished women, great artists, stage favorites and others have succeeded brilliantly in spite of sex irregularities; but this proves nothing. These women succeeded because they had genius or talent, not because they were immoral, just as certain men of genius have succeeded in spite of an addiction to various evil practices. They would probably have achieved more splendid careers had they been able to conquer these weaknesses. Besides, we are considering what is best for the majority of men and women, not for an exceptional few.