They will
select a life partner, upon the advice of ma mere and a strong
committee of uncles and aunts, but not until the military service is
terminated. Everything in its proper time and place.
Meanwhile they gaze and perhaps even serenade. This looks as if they
were furiously in love, and has therefore been included among the rules
of the game. Youth must keep up the poetic tradition of "fiery."
Besides, it is an inexpensive pastime - the cinematograph costs forty
centimes - and you really cannot sit in the barber's all night long.
But catch them marrying the wrong girl!
POSTSCRIPT. - Here are two samples of youthful love-letters from my
collection.
1. - From a disappointed maiden, aged 13. Interesting, because
intermediate between the archaic and pink-paper stages:
"IDOL OF MY HEART,
"Do not the stars call you when you look to Heaven? Does not the moon
tell you, the black-cap on the willow when it says farewell to the sun?
The birds of nature, the dreary country sadly covered by a few flowers
that remain there? Once your look was passionate and pierced me like a
sunny ray, now it seems the flame of a day. Does nothing tell you of
imperishable love?" I love you and love you as (illegible) loves its
liberty, as the corn in the fields loves the sun, as the sailor loves
the sea tranquil or stormy.
