Case 1. Boy 3, girl 5. Love is mutual. When in a large company of
children they will always separate themselves from the others and
play together. Never tire of telling each other of their love.
Delight in kissing and embracing, and do not care who sees them.
Case 2. B. 5, g. 4. Began at ages given and still continues, two
years having gone. Are often seen hand-in-hand; are very jealous
of each other. Boy more backward than girl. Will not play with
other children when they can be together.
Case 3. B. 3, g. 3-1/2. Have been deeply in love since their
third week in kindergarten. Rose not so jealous as Russel. She
always watches for his coming, and runs to meet him the moment he
enters the room. They sit together at the table and in the
circle, and cry if separated. They are very free and unrestrained
in showing their love by kissing, hugging, and by many little
attentions.
Case 4. B. 3, g. 3. My little nephew of three and a little
neighbor girl of the same age had a most affectionate love for
each other, and were not at all shy about it. They would kiss
each other when they met, and seemed to think it all right. The
little boy used to tell me that they would marry when grown. This
continued about two and a half years; then the girl's parents
moved away, much to the grief of both children. The little boy
would often climb up and take the girl's photograph from the
mantle and kiss it.
Case 5. B. 3, g. 3. My nephew of three manifested an ardent
passion for a small girl of about the same age. He followed her
about with dog-like persistence. Being an only child he was very
selfish, never sharing anything with other children. But Bessie
became the recipient of all his playthings. His hoard of
treasures was laid at her feet. Nothing was good enough for her,
nor could he be dressed fine enough when she was around. On one
occasion, a large boy picked Bessie up to fondle her, whereupon
her jealous lover seized a hatchet and attacked his rival. He
imperiously demanded a dollar from me one day in order that he
might buy Bessie and have her 'all for his own.' He is now six,
and loves her as much as ever.
Case 6. I know of two young people who have been lovers since
babyhood. As they grew up their love for each other assumed
different aspects. During the first seven years of their lives
their love was open and frank, showing no restriction of the
regard they felt. Caresses and embraces were indulged in as
freely and unrestrictedly as might have been between two little
girls. But when school life began and they became exposed to the
twits and teasings of their playmates there developed a shy
timidity and reserve when in the presence of others. Though they
have been separated for long periods at different times their
love has continued.
Case 7. Both about five years old when they first showed signs of
love that I observed. May have begun earlier. Lasted four years.
Broken up by girl's parents moving away. Love was mutual without
any signs of jealousy that I could see. Exchanged gifts, such as
candy, nuts, flowers, etc. Their actions at first very free
either when alone or in the presence of others. Later they became
somewhat shy in the presence of others, but free when alone. Upon
the girl's moving away the boy showed very deep feeling of
sorrow. Do not know about the girl.
Case 8. My little brother at the age of four was very much in
love with a little girl two years of age. He used to lead the
little girl around, caress her tenderly, and talk lovingly to
her. He always divided with her the playthings he most
appreciated. He often said he expected to marry her. While the
little girl did not object to his demonstrations, she seemed to
care more for a young man thirty-three years of age, and called
him her sweetheart. The little boy became jealous, and finally
gave her up. After they entered school together the little girl
became very fond of my brother, and always managed to sit or
stand next to him in the class if possible, but he had lost all
interest in her, and never cared for her again.
Case 9. B. 6, g. 5. They had been lovers for about two years.
They did not get to be together often since they lived in
different towns. Their families were relatives and exchanged
visits. Upon one occasion when of the age indicated above they
met at the home of Jeaness's grandfather. Edgar came late.
Jeaness was seated upon a hassock in the parlor where there were
several guests. Upon Edgar's entering the door, she saw him and,
as her little face beamed with evident delight, she arose and met
him in the middle of the room. They were immediately in each
others arms. Edgar's mother, seeing the vigor with which he was
hugging Jeaness, said to him with concern: "Why, Edgar, you will
hurt Jeaness." Jeaness, who evidently was better able to judge,
archly turned her head and with a smile that meant much, said:
"No, he won't."
Case 10. B. 2, g. 2. One afternoon last summer two of my little
cousins, Florence twenty-three months old and Harold two years
old, were spending the day at my home. They had never met until
that day. Florence is an only child and is inclined to have her
own way, and isn't willing to give up to other children. Harold
has rather a sunny disposition. They had not been with each other
more than an hour before they were sitting on the porch and
Florence had her arms around Harold. She was very willing to give
up to him and share all she had. They played together the
remainder of the day, and were very affectionate. Ever since then
they have been very devoted to each other, and it is very
beautiful to watch them in all their little ways of indicating
their love for each other.
Case 11. I attended a wedding last June which was the outcome of
a striking illustration of this love. I will tell the story as
the bride's mother told it to me. "This does not seem like a
marriage to me but just one more step in a friendship which began
when Minnie and Theo were babies. Before either could walk they
would sit on the floor and play with each other--never having any
trouble over playthings, but sharing everything alike. Theo would
break bits of cake and put in Minnie's mouth, and then both would
laugh as though it were a great joke. If they were separated both
would cry. As they grew up the friendship grew stronger, and Theo
always called Minnie his 'little wife.' At school they were
always lovers, and when we moved here it was understood that when
Minnie was twenty-one Theo should come for her. During their
entire lives I do not know of a single quarrel between them."
Case 12. One bright morning I noticed a little boy sitting in
front of me who had not been there before. He turned around
occasionally to look at me, and presently smiled. Of course I
returned the smile, thinking that he was the sweetest little
fellow that I had ever seen. This was the beginning of a love
that lasted for several years. He was six, and I was the same
age. On the next day he brought me a pretty picture, and after
that paid so much attention to me that he was soon acknowledged
to be my lover. Neither of us was the least bit shy over it. He
did not care to play with the other boys and I did not care to
play with the girls. We were not contented unless we were
together. He freely confessed his love to me and confided all of
his joys and sorrows in me. For three years and more he seemed to
care as much for me as I did for him. When he came to our home to
play with my brothers he usually forgot them and played with me.
At dinner mamma always seated us side-by-side. We planned our
marriage; his father who was a minister was to perform the
ceremony. We discussed wedding dresses, bridesmaids and
breakfasts with great seriousness. One day,--the fatal one to my
childish happiness, a new girl came to school. I could not help
noticing how often his eyes turned from me to her, and feared a
rival from the first. He wanted her to play with us, and although
I far rather would have preferred being alone with him, I hid my
feelings and asked her. I tried to treat her kindly because I
knew that it would please him. One day he asked me with great
hesitation if I objected to his having two sweethearts. I
smothered my jealous feelings and replied that I did not if he
would marry _me_. He told me that he would, that he loved me,--in
a way that was a compensation for my sacrifice. For some time the
other girl and I got along very well as sister sweethearts; but I
soon saw that she was receiving all of the caresses, and I
concluded that I would not have it so. We had an interview. He
said that he still loved me, but he gave me plainly to understand
that he would be pleased to have me withdraw. Of course I did so,
but was determined never to let either of them know that I cared.
After a time they grew tired of each other, and he came to ask my
forgiveness and make up, but by that time I had an older and as I
thought better sweetheart; so he was left to repent his rash
action while sweetheart number two captured some one else more
suited to her taste.