B

etsy insisted I get into bed and she made me tea. When I told her about the voice, she declared it was an omen that meant I should never take off the silver chain she gave me - she said that the odd word, "peripat" was another name for the silver chain. I scolded her on her superstitions. At that time I believed that everything has a logical, practical explanation. I told her that she had an over-active feminine imagination. She must have taken offense to this, because she suddenly became flushed about the face and neck, and she had a distracted air - and then in a moment she excused herself and quit the premises.

After she left, I tarried in bed, thinking over the strange dream - for that is what I convinced myself it was - and wondered how I could avoid having such a one as that again. Then I fell into a light sleep, still in a state of nervous distraction. I had another remarkable dream, but of a very different nature than the one in the night.

At the time, I thought it too was just a dream - but now I cannot help but wonder if Betsy had been responsible for it, through sorcery. I dreamed I was lying by a gentle brook on a balmy summer afternoon, my head resting on Betsy's bare breasts. I began suckling at her rosy teats, and her milk was like the sweetest Irish cream. I felt content as a newborn babe, but soon another feeling arose. I looked up into her face and she smiled sweetly at me, and then my animal nature asserted itself. I disrobed and stood naked before her. She gasped and stared at me in wonder. My manhood was at full attention and her gaze lingered there, equal parts delight and apprehension. I will leave the rest of the dream up to your imagination, other than to say that I took her and enjoyed myself supremely within her - as she enjoyed me. We remained in this position for a long time - the "beast with two backs" - that eventually I found my back and buttocks were sun-burnt.

I awoke then, with a powerful desire to see Betsy, but I resisted. I had an idea of what my future wife would be like - she was not like Betsy. I knew I had to give up the possibility of momentary pleasure to ensure my long-term happiness.

(To be continued...)