So
Korak was not alone undergoing a change.
And Meriem? She was a woman. It is woman's divine right to love.
Always she had loved Korak. He was her big brother. Meriem alone
underwent no change. She was still happy in the companionship of
her Korak. She still loved him--as a sister loves an indulgent
brother--and she was very, very proud of him. In all the jungle
there was no other creature so strong, so handsome, or so brave.
Korak came close to her. There was a new light in his eyes as
she looked up into them; but she did not understand it. She did
not realize how close they were to maturity, nor aught of all the
difference in their lives the look in Korak's eyes might mean.
"Meriem," he whispered and his voice was husky as he laid a brown
hand upon her bare shoulder. "Meriem!" Suddenly he crushed her to
him. She looked up into his face, laughing, and then he bent and
kissed her full upon the mouth. Even then she did not understand.
She did not recall ever having been kissed before. It was very
nice. Meriem liked it. She thought it was Korak's way of showing
how glad he was that the great ape had not succeeded in running
away with her.
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