Clifford was talking with his cousin Annie, and somehow the subject of underwear came up. “The thing is,” she said, with a hint of regret in her tone, “I can’t wear the kind with the slit.”

“Why not?” Clifford asked.

“I’ll show you,” Annie said. “Wait here.”

A minute or two later Annie reappeared. She was naked, all but a pair of white panties. The garment was high-waisted but included a pronounced slit down the front. “See,” she said, “it doesn’t work because of my muff. I suppose I could shave it or wax it but I’m not prone to do that. I do trim it, of course.”