sexual education

wendla. i have a sister who has been married for two and a half years, i myself have been made an aunt for the third time, and i haven’t the least idea how it all comes about. don’t be cross, mother dear, don’t be cross! whom in the world should i ask but you! please tell me, dear mother. i am ashamed for myself. please, mother, speak! don’t scold me for asking you about it. give me an answer—how does it happen? how does it all come about? you cannot really deceive yourself that i, who am fourteen years old, still believe in the stork.

frau bergmann. good lord, child, but you are peculiar! what ideas you have! i really can’t do that!

wendla. but why not, mother? why not? it can’t be anything ugly if everybody is delighted over it!

frau bergmann. o—o god protect me! i deserve—— go get dressed, child, go get dressed.

wendla. i’ll go. and suppose your child went out and asked the chimney sweep?