I know it now for what it was--the very incarnation of the spirit of youth.

And she _was_ young.

Why, Mary, she was not so many years older than you yourself, now." I nodded, and I guess I sighed.
"I know--where the brook and river meet," I said; "only they won't let _me_ have any lovers at all." "Eh?
What ?" Father had turned and was looking at me so funny.

"Well, no, I should say not," he said then.

"You aren't sixteen yet.