But even the most assiduous silence on the part of the parent rarely prevents the girl from learning some part of the truth. As soon as the little girl commences going to school, she is exposed to the danger of learning these vital facts, and learning them in a sordid way. Even the most careful of parents cannot keep from arousing a child’s curiosity concerning its body. Chance remarks are overheard; when the child reaches the school age, words seen in books, heard in conversation, send the curious one to the dictionary; worst of all, information is freely scattered by their less restrained and more evil-minded companions. These facts, seen through the fouling haze of secrecy and miscomprehension, tantalize the youthfully curious mind. The young girl, hating to appear less knowing than her acquaintances, adopts the secrecy of her elders, and prowls through books and dictionaries; her mind, like a mole, chases the truth through the dark of ignorance, until what truth she finally gleans is smudged with the filth of the streets, and dulled by an aura of shame. They learn bad habits, alone or by falling into unhealthy relationships with other girls, if they do not know the facts. This accurate knowledge, properly given, is the more valuable, if to it is added a restrained example on the part of the parents. If the mother’s actions are admirable, this example is a louder preachment to the young daughter than any amount of words. Nor need a mother shrink from telling her daughter the simple facts of life. These mysteries can be pointed out in a beautiful way through the life-stories of animals and plants. The simple tale of how young birds and kittens arrive in the world can be made into a lovely symbol of the girl’s own origin, and will point out to her the role that she, in the normal course of nature, will fulfil. _Adolescent Training._—The essential thing to guard in the adolescent girl is her bodily health. If the body is properly cared for, the sexual nature will take care of itself. Barring some physical deformity, sexual life grows strongly and healthily of its own accord. A normal woman is capable of bearing at least thirty children. This is neither desirable nor economically possible, today. The task is to rein sexual energy, not to stimulate it. Exercise drains off this energy, which, in the girl, is chiefly an undefined longing. Enjoyable occupations keep the girl’s mind occupied and prevent that restlessness that is so taxing to the adolescent person. All young girls should be encouraged in participating in sports. They develop a healthy body, increase grace, and occupy a nervous mind.