generally smart enough and ambitious enough to outdo Adam in any line of
endeavor--especially in the use or misuse of the tongue.

In matters of niceness it is Eve who sets the pace. Adam is built for
strength; Eve for beauty and adornment. It is _natural_ for Eve to set
the pace and for Adam to follow, in all matters of detail and niceness.
Whether Adam follows with good grace or ill depends upon Eve and the
serpent. If Eve is wise as the serpent in her, and harmless as the dove
in her, she can lead Adam a _willing_ captive to heaven or hell.

Now will you rise again and--squirm--because I attribute to Eve all
power over Adam? Will you say I excuse Adam's transgressions and come
down hard on Eve? I suppose so. But the very fact that you resent the
imputation is proof that in your heart of hearts you know I have hit
_very close_ to the mark. When an arrow flies wide we are merely amused
at the poor marksmanship; but the closer the arrow strikes to the center
the more excited we grow--either with resentment or admiration,
according to our sympathies.

In matters of cleanliness, niceness and adornment Eve sets the pace; and
if her pace is a graceful one and _not too fast_ Adam follows. In due
time he _acquires the habit_ of doing the little ablutions and adornings
Eve has taught him.

If your Adam is _very_ careless about these matters you may depend upon
it that when he was growing up his mother was either dead or careless or
tactless; and you may safely suspect that Adam in his previous state of
existence was a forlorn old bach. So be gentle with him, for it will
take time to correct the faults of such an Adam.