`What\'sthematter？\'hesaidagain，whenshewasquieter。Butsheonlypressedherfacefurtherintohisshoulder，inpain，likeachildthatcannottell。
`Whatisit，then？\'heasked。Suddenlyshebrokeaway，wipedhereyes，regainedhercomposure，andwentandsatinachair。
`Fatherhitme，\'sheannounced，sittingbunchedup，ratherlikearuffledbird，hereyesverybright。
`Whatfor？\'hesaid。
Shelookedaway，andwouldnotanswer。Therewasapitifulrednessabouthersensitivenostrils，andherquiveringlips。
`Why？\'herepeated，inhisstrange，soft，penetratingvoice。
Shelookedroundathim，ratherdefiantly。
`BecauseIsaidIwasgoingtobemarriedtomorrow，andhebulliedme。\'
`Whydidhebullyyou？\'
Hermouthdroppedagain，sherememberedthesceneoncemore，thetearscameup。
`BecauseIsaidhedidn\'tcare——andhedoesn\'t，it\'sonlyhisdomineeringnessthat\'shurt——\'shesaid，hermouthpulledawrybyherweeping，allthetimeshespoke，sothathealmostsmiled，itseemedsochildish。Yetitwasnotchildish，itwasamortalconflict，adeepwound。
`Itisn\'tquitetrue，\'hesaid。`Andevenso，youshouldn\'tsayit。\'
`Itistrue——itistrue，\'shewept，`andIwon\'tbebulliedbyhispretendingit\'slove——whenitisn\'t——hedoesn\'tcare，howcanhe——no，hecan\'t——\'
Hesatinsilence。Shemovedhimbeyondhimself。
`Thenyoushouldn\'trousehim，ifhecan\'t，\'repliedBirkinquietly。
`AndIhavelovedhim，Ihave，\'shewept。`I\'velovedhimalways，andhe\'salwaysdonethistome，hehas——\'
`It\'sbeenaloveofopposition，then，\'hesaid。`Nevermind——itwillbeallright。It\'snothingdesperate。\'
`Yes，\'shewept，`itis，itis。\'
`Why？\'
`Ishallneverseehimagain——\'
`Notimmediately。Don\'tcry，youhadtobreakwithhim，ithadtobe——don\'tcry。\'
Hewentovertoherandkissedherfine，fragilehair，touchingherwetcheeksgently。
`Don\'tcry，\'herepeated，`don\'tcryanymore。\'
Heheldherheadcloseagainsthim，verycloseandquiet。
Atlastshewasstill。Thenshelookedup，hereyeswideandfrightened。
`don\'tyouwantme？\'sheasked。
`Wantyou？\'Hisdarkened，steadyeyespuzzledheranddidnotgiveherplay。
`DoyouwishIhadn\'tcome？\'sheasked，anxiousnowagainforfearshemightbeoutofplace。
`No，\'hesaid。`Iwishtherehadn\'tbeentheviolence——somuchugliness——butperhapsitwasinevitable。\'
Shewatchedhiminsilence。Heseemeddeadened。
`ButwhereshallIstay？\'sheasked，feelinghumiliated。
Hethoughtforamoment。
`Here，withme，\'hesaid。`We\'remarriedasmuchtodayasweshallbetomorrow。\'
`But——\'
`I\'lltellMrsVarley，\'hesaid。`Nevermindnow。\'
Hesatlookingather。Shecouldfeelhisdarkenedsteadyeyeslookingatherallthetime。Itmadeheralittlebitfrightened。Shepushedherhairoffherforeheadnervously。
`DoIlookugly？\'shesaid。
Andsheblewhernoseagain。
Asmallsmilecameroundhiseyes。
`No，\'hesaid，`fortunately。\'
Andhewentacrosstoher，andgatheredherlikeabelonginginhisarms。Shewassotenderlybeautiful，hecouldnotbeartoseeher，hecouldonlybeartohideheragainsthimself。Now;washedallcleanbyhertears，shewasnewandfraillikeaflowerjustunfolded，aflowersonew，sotender，somadeperfectbyinnerlight，thathecouldnotbeartolookather，hemusthideheragainsthimself，coverhiseyesagainsther。Shehadtheperfectcandourofcreation，somethingtranslucentandsimple，likearadiant，shiningflowerthatmomentunfoldedinprimalblessedness。
Shewassonew，sowonder—clear，soundimmed。Andhewassoold，sosteepedinheavymemories。Hersoulwasnew，undefinedandglimmeringwiththeunseen。Andhissoulwasdarkandgloomy，ithadonlyonegrainoflivinghope，likeagrainofmustardseed。Butthisonelivinggraininhimmatchedtheperfectyouthinher。
`Iloveyou，\'hewhisperedashekissedher，andtrembledwithpurehope，likeamanwhoisbornagaintoawonderful，livelyhopefarexceedingtheboundsofdeath。
Shecouldnotknowhowmuchitmeanttohim，howmuchhemeantbythefewwords。Almostchildish，shewantedproof，andstatement，evenover—statement，foreverythingseemedstilluncertain，unfixedtoher。
Butthepassionofgratitudewithwhichhereceivedherintohissoul，theextreme，unthinkablegladnessofknowinghimselflivingandfittounitewithher，he，whowassonearlydead，whowassoneartobeinggonewiththerestofhisracedowntheslopeofmechanicaldeath，couldneverbeunderstoodbyher。Heworshippedherasageworshipsyouth，hegloriedinher，because，inhisonegrainoffaith，hewasyoungasshe，hewasherpropermate。Thismarriagewithherwashisresurrectionandhislife。
Allthisshecouldnotknow。Shewantedtobemademuchof，tobeadored。
Therewereinfinitedistancesofsilencebetweenthem。Howcouldhetellheroftheimmanenceofherbeauty，thatwasnotform，orweight，orcolour，butsomethinglikeastrange，goldenlight！Howcouldheknowhimselfwhatherbeautylayin，forhim。Hesaid`Yournoseisbeautiful，yourchinisadorable。\'Butitsoundedlikelies，andshewasdisappointed，hurt。
Evenwhenhesaid，whisperingwithtruth，`Iloveyou，Iloveyou，\'itwasnottherealtruth。Itwassomethingbeyondlove，suchagladnessofhavingsurpassedoneself，ofhavingtranscendedtheoldexistence。Howcouldhesay\"I\"whenhewassomethingnewandunknown，nothimselfatall？ThisI，thisoldformulaoftheage，wasadeadletter。
Inthenew，superfinebliss，apeacesupersedingknowledge，therewasnoIandyou，therewasonlythethird，unrealisedwonder，thewonderofexistingnotasoneself，butinaconsummationofmybeingandofherbeinginanewone，anew，paradisalunitregainedfromtheduality。NorcanIsay`Iloveyou，\'whenIhaveceasedtobe，andyouhaveceasedtobe:
wearebothcaughtupandtranscendedintoanewonenesswhereeverythingissilent，becausethereisnothingtoanswer，allisperfectandatone。
Speechtravelsbetweentheseparateparts。ButintheperfectOnethereisperfectsilenceofbliss。
Theyweremarriedbylawonthenextday，andshedidashebadeher，shewrotetoherfatherandmother。Hermotherreplied，notherfather。
Shedidnotgobacktoschool。ShestayedwithBirkininhisrooms，orattheMill，movingwithhimashemoved。Butshedidnotseeanybody，saveGudrunandGerald。Shewasallstrangeandwonderingasyet，butrelievedasbydawn。
GeraldsattalkingtoheroneafternooninthewarmstudydownattheMill。Ruperthadnotyetcomehome。
`Youarehappy？\'Geraldaskedher，withasmile。
`Veryhappy！\'shecried，shrinkingalittleinherbrightness。
`Yes，onecanseeit。\'
`Canone？\'criedUrsulainsurprise。
Helookedupatherwithacommunicativesmile。
`Ohyes，plainly。\'
Shewaspleased。Shemeditatedamoment。
`AndcanyouseethatRupertishappyaswell？\'
Heloweredhiseyelids，andlookedaside。
`Ohyes，\'hesaid。
`Really！\'
`Ohyes。\'
Hewasveryquiet，asifitweresomethingnottobetalkedaboutbyhim。Heseemedsad。
Shewasverysensitivetosuggestion。Sheaskedthequestionhewantedhertoask。
`Whydon\'tyoubehappyaswell？\'shesaid。`Youcouldbejustthesame。\'
Hepausedamoment。
`WithGudrun？\'heasked。
`Yes！\'shecried，hereyesglowing。Buttherewasastrangetension，anemphasis，asiftheywereassertingtheirwishes，againstthetruth。
`YouthinkGudrunwouldhaveme，andweshouldbehappy？\'hesaid。
`Yes，I\'msure！\'shecried。
Hereyeswereroundwithdelight。Yetunderneathshewasconstrained，sheknewherowninsistence。
`Oh，I\'msoglad，\'sheadded。
Hesmiled。
`Whatmakesyouglad？\'hesaid。
`Forhersake，\'shereplied。`I\'msureyou\'d——you\'retherightmanforher。\'
`Youare？\'hesaid。`Anddoyouthinkshewouldagreewithyou？\'
`Ohyes！\'sheexclaimedhastily。Then，uponreconsideration，veryuneasy:
`ThoughGudrunisn\'tsoverysimple，isshe？Onedoesn\'tknowherinfiveminutes，doesone？She\'snotlikemeinthat。\'Shelaughedathimwithherstrange，open，dazzledface。
`Youthinkshe\'snotmuchlikeyou？\'Geraldasked。
Sheknittedherbrows。
`Oh，inmanywayssheis。ButIneverknowwhatshewilldowhenanythingnewcomes。\'
`Youdon\'t？\'saidGerald。Hewassilentforsomemoments。Thenhemovedtentatively。`Iwasgoingtoaskher，inanycase，togoawaywithmeatChristmas，\'hesaid，inaverysmall，cautiousvoice。
`Goawaywithyou？Foratime，youmean？\'
`Aslongasshelikes，\'hesaid，withadeprecatingmovement。
Theywerebothsilentforsomeminutes。
`Ofcourse，\'saidUrsulaatlast，`shemightjustbewillingtorushintomarriage。Youcansee。\'
`Yes，\'smiledGerald。`Icansee。Butincaseshewon\'t——doyouthinkshewouldgoabroadwithmeforafewdays——orforafortnight？\'
`Ohyes，\'saidUrsula。`I\'daskher。\'
`Doyouthinkwemightallgotogether？\'
`Allofus？\'AgainUrsula\'sfacelightedup。`Itwouldberatherfun，don\'tyouthink？\'
`Greatfun，\'hesaid。
`Andthenyoucouldsee，\'saidUrsula。
`What？\'
`Howthingswent。Ithinkitisbesttotakethehoneymoonbeforethewedding——don\'tyou？\'
Shewaspleasedwiththismot。Helaughed。
`Incertaincases，\'hesaid。`I\'dratheritweresoinmyowncase。\'
`Wouldyou！\'exclaimedUrsula。Thendoubtingly，`Yes，perhapsyou\'reright。Oneshouldpleaseoneself。\'
Birkincameinalittlelater，andUrsulatoldhimwhathadbeensaid。
`Gudrun！\'exclaimedBirkin。`She\'sabornmistress，justasGeraldisabornlover——amantentitre。Ifassomebodysaysallwomenareeitherwivesormistresses，thenGudrunisamistress。\'
`Andallmeneitherloversorhusbands，\'criedUrsula。`Butwhynotboth？\'
`Theoneexcludestheother，\'helaughed。
`ThenIwantalover，\'criedUrsula。
`Noyoudon\'t，\'hesaid。
`ButIdo，\'shewailed。
Hekissedher，andlaughed。
ItwastwodaysafterthisthatUrsulawastogotofetchherthingsfromthehouseinBeldover。Theremovalhadtakenplace，thefamilyhadgone。GudrunhadroomsinWilleyGreen。
Ursulahadnotseenherparentssincehermarriage。Sheweptovertherupture，yetwhatwasthegoodofmakingitup！Goodornotgood，shecouldnotgotothem。SoherthingshadbeenleftbehindandsheandGudrunweretowalkoverforthem，intheafternoon。
Itwasawintryafternoon，withredinthesky，whentheyarrivedatthehouse。Thewindowsweredarkandblank，alreadytheplacewasfrightening。
Astark，voidentrance—hallstruckachilltotheheartsofthegirls。
`Idon\'tbelieveIdarehavecomeinalone，\'saidUrsula。`Itfrightensme。\'
`Ursula！\'criedGudrun。`Isn\'titamazing！Canyoubelieveyoulivedinthisplaceandneverfeltit？HowIlivedhereadaywithoutdyingofterror，Icannotconceive！\'
Theylookedinthebigdining—room。Itwasagood—sizedroom，butnowacellwouldhavebeenlovelier。Thelargebaywindowswerenaked，thefloorwasstripped，andaborderofdarkpolishwentroundthetractofpaleboarding。
Inthefadedwallpaperweredarkpatcheswherefurniturehadstood，wherepictureshadhung。Thesenseofwalls，dry，thin，flimsy—seemingwalls，andaflimsyflooring，palewithitsartificialblackedges，wasneutralisingtothemind。Everythingwasnulltothesenses，therewasenclosurewithoutsubstance，forthewallsweredryandpapery。Whereweretheystanding，onearth，orsuspendedinsomecardboardbox？Inthehearthwasburntpaper，andscrapsofhalf—burntpaper。
`Imaginethatwepassedourdayshere！\'saidUrsula。
`Iknow，\'criedGudrun。`Itistooappalling。Whatmustwebelike，ifwearethecontentsofthis！\'
`Vile！\'saidUrsula。`Itreallyis。\'
Andsherecognisedhalf—burntcoversof`Vogue\'——half—burntrepresentationsofwomeningowns——lyingunderthegrate。
Theywenttothedrawing—room。Anotherpieceofshut—inair;withoutweightorsubstance，onlyasenseofintolerablepaperyimprisonmentinnothingness。Thekitchendidlookmoresubstantial，becauseofthered—tiledfloorandthestove，butitwascoldandhorrid。
Thetwogirlstrampedhollowlyupthebarestairs。Everysoundreechoedundertheirhearts。Theytrampeddownthebarecorridor。AgainstthewallofUrsula\'sbedroomwereherthings——atrunk，awork—basket，somebooks，loosecoats，ahat—box，standingdesolateintheuniversalemptinessofthedusk。
`Acheerfulsight，aren\'tthey？\'saidUrsula，lookingdownatherforsakenpossessions。
`Verycheerful，\'saidGudrun。
Thetwogirlssetto，carryingeverythingdowntothefrontdoor。Againandagaintheymadethehollow，re—echoingtransit。Thewholeplaceseemedtoresoundaboutthemwithanoiseofhollow，emptyfutility。Inthedistancetheempty，invisibleroomssentforthavibrationalmostofobscenity。
Theyalmostfledwiththelastarticles，intotheout—of—door。
Butitwascold。TheywerewaitingforBirkin，whowascomingwiththecar。Theywentindoorsagain，andupstairstotheirparents\'frontbedroom，whosewindowslookeddownontheroad，andacrossthecountryattheblack—barredsunset，blackandredbarred，withoutlight。
Theysatdowninthewindow—seat，towait。Bothgirlswerelookingovertheroom。Itwasvoid，withameaninglessnessthatwasalmostdreadful。
`Really，\'saidUrsula，`thisroomcouldn\'tbesacred，couldit？\'
Gudrunlookedoveritwithsloweyes。
`Impossible，\'shereplied。
`WhenIthinkoftheirlives——father\'sandmother\'s，theirlove，andtheirmarriage，andallofuschildren，andourbringing—up——wouldyouhavesuchalife，Prune？\'
`Iwouldn\'t，Ursula。\'
`Itallseemssonothing——theirtwolives——there\'snomeaninginit。Really，iftheyhadnotmet，andnotmarried，andnotlivedtogether——itwouldn\'thavemattered，wouldit？\'
`Ofcourse——youcan\'ttell，\'saidGudrun。
`No。ButifIthoughtmylifewasgoingtobelikeit——Prune，\'shecaughtGudrun\'sarm，`Ishouldrun。\'
Gudrunwassilentforafewmoments。
`Asamatteroffact，onecannotcontemplatetheordinarylife——onecannotcontemplateit，\'repliedGudrun。`Withyou，Ursula，itisquitedifferent。Youwillbeoutofitall，withBirkin。He\'saspecialcase。
Butwiththeordinaryman，whohashislifefixedinoneplace，marriageisjustimpossible。Theremaybe，andthereare，thousandsofwomenwhowantit，andcouldconceiveofnothingelse。Buttheverythoughtofitsendsmemad。Onemustbefree，aboveall，onemustbefree。
Onemayforfeiteverythingelse，butonemustbefree——onemustnotbecome7，PinchbeckStreet——orSomersetDrive——orShortlands。Nomanwillbesufficienttomakethatgood——noman！Tomarry，onemusthaveafreelance，ornothing，acomrade—in—arms，aGlckstritter。Amanwithapositioninthesocialworld——well，itisjustimpossible，impossible！\'
`Whatalovelyword——aGlckstritter！\'saidUrsula。`Somuchnicerthanasoldieroffortune。\'
`Yes，isn\'tit？\'saidGudrun。`I\'dtilttheworldwithaGlcksritter。
Butahome，anestablishment！Ursula，whatwoulditmean？——think！\'
`Iknow，\'saidUrsula。`We\'vehadonehome——that\'senoughforme。\'
`Quiteenough，\'saidGudrun。
`Thelittlegreyhomeinthewest，\'quotedUrsulaironically。
`Doesn\'titsoundgrey，too，\'saidGudrungrimly。
Theywereinterruptedbythesoundofthecar。TherewasBirkin。Ursulawassurprisedthatshefeltsolitup，thatshebecamesuddenlysofreefromtheproblemsofgreyhomesinthewest。
Theyheardhisheelsclickonthehallpavementbelow。
`Hello！\'hecalled，hisvoiceechoingalivethroughthehouse。Ursulasmiledtoherself。Hewasfrightenedoftheplacetoo。
`Hello！Hereweare，\'shecalleddownstairs。Andtheyheardhimquicklyrunningup。
`Thisisaghostlysituation，\'hesaid。
`Thesehousesdon\'thaveghosts——they\'veneverhadanypersonality，andonlyaplacewithpersonalitycanhaveaghost，\'saidGudrun。
`Isupposeso。Areyoubothweepingoverthepast？\'
`Weare，\'saidGudrun，grimly。
Ursulalaughed。
`Notweepingthatit\'sgone，butweepingthatiteverwas，\'shesaid。
`Oh，\'hereplied，relieved。
Hesatdownforamoment。Therewassomethinginhispresence，Ursulathought，lambentandalive。Itmadeeventheimpertinentstructureofthisnullhousedisappear。
`Gudrunsaysshecouldnotbeartobemarriedandputintoahouse，\'
saidUrsulameaningful——theyknewthisreferredtoGerald。
Hewassilentforsomemoments。
`Well，\'hesaid，`ifyouknowbeforehandyoucouldn\'tstandit，you\'resafe。\'
`Quite！\'saidGudrun。
`Whydoeseverywomanthinkheraiminlifeistohaveahubbyandalittlegreyhomeinthewest？Whyisthisthegoaloflife？Whyshoulditbe？\'saidUrsula。
`Ilfautavoirlerespectdesesbtises，\'saidBirkin。
`Butyouneedn\'thavetherespectforthebetisebeforeyou\'vecommittedit，\'laughedUrsula。
`Ahthen，desbetisesdupapa？\'
`Etdelamaman，\'addedGudrunsatirically。
`Etdesvoisins，\'saidUrsula。
Theyalllaughed，androse。Itwasgettingdark。Theycarriedthethingstothecar。Gudrunlockedthedooroftheemptyhouse。Birkinhadlightedthelampsoftheautomobile。Itallseemedveryhappy，asiftheyweresettingout。
`DoyoumindstoppingatCoulsons。Ihavetoleavethekeythere，\'saidGudrun。
`Right，\'saidBirkin，andtheymovedoff。
Theystoppedinthemainstreet。Theshopswerejustlighted，thelastminerswerepassinghomealongthecauseways，half—visibleshadowsintheirgreypit—dirt，movingthroughtheblueair。Buttheirfeetrangharshlyinmanifoldsound，alongthepavement。
HowpleasedGudrunwastocomeoutoftheshop，andenterthecar，andbeborneswiftlyawayintothedownhillofpalpabledusk，withUrsulaandBirkin！Whatanadventurelifeseemedatthismoment！Howdeeply，howsuddenlysheenviedUrsula！Lifeforherwassoquick，andanopendoor——sorecklessasifnotonlythisworld，buttheworldthatwasgoneandtheworldtocomewerenothingtoher。Ah，ifshecouldbejustlikethat，itwouldbeperfect。
Foralways，exceptinhermomentsofexcitement，shefeltawantwithinherself。Shewasunsure。Shehadfeltthatnow，atlast，inGerald\'sstrongandviolentlove，shewaslivingfullyandfinally。ButwhenshecomparedherselfwithUrsula，alreadyhersoulwasjealous，unsatisfied。Shewasnotsatisfied——shewasnevertobesatisfied。
Whatwassheshortofnow？Itwasmarriage——itwasthewonderfulstabilityofmarriage。Shedidwantit，lethersaywhatshemight。Shehadbeenlying。Theoldideaofmarriagewasrightevennow——marriageandthehome。Yethermouthgavealittlegrimaceatthewords。ShethoughtofGeraldandShortlands——marriageandthehome！Ahwell，letitrest！Hemeantagreatdealtoher——but——！Perhapsitwasnotinhertomarry。
Shewasoneoflife\'soutcasts，oneofthedriftinglivesthathavenoroot。No，noitcouldnotbeso。Shesuddenlyconjureduparosyroom，withherselfinabeautifulgown，andahandsomemanineveningdresswhoheldherinhisarmsinthefirelight，andkissedher。Thispicturesheentitled`Home。\'ItwouldhavedonefortheRoyalAcademy。
`Comewithustotea——do，\'saidUrsula，astheyrannearertothecottageofWilleyGreen。
`Thanksawfully——butImustgoin——\'saidGudrun。ShewantedverymuchtogoonwithUrsulaandBirkin。
Thatseemedlikelifeindeedtoher。Yetacertainperversitywouldnotlether。
`Docome——yes，itwouldbesonice，\'pleadedUrsula。
`I\'mawfullysorry——Ishouldloveto——butIcan\'t——really——\'
Shedescendedfromthecarintremblinghaste。
`Can\'tyoureally！\'cameUrsula\'sregretfulvoice。
`No，reallyIcan\'t，\'respondedGudrun\'spathetic，chagrinedwordsoutofthedusk。
`Allright，areyou？\'calledBirkin。
`Quite！\'saidGudrun。`Good—night！\'
`Good—night，\'theycalled。
`Comewheneveryoulike，weshallbeglad，\'calledBirkin。
`Thankyouverymuch，\'calledGudrun，inthestrange，twangingvoiceoflonelychagrinthatwasverypuzzlingtohim。Sheturnedawaytohercottagegate，andtheydroveon。Butimmediatelyshestoodtowatchthem，asthecarranvagueintothedistance。Andasshewentupthepathtoherstrangehouse，herheartwasfullofincomprehensiblebitterness。
Inherparlourwasalong—caseclock，andinsertedintoitsdialwasaruddy，round，slant—eyed，joyous—paintedface，thatwaggedoverwiththemostridiculousoglewhentheclockticked，andbackagainwiththesameabsurdglad—eyeatthenexttick。Allthetimetheabsurdsmooth，brown—ruddyfacegaveheranobtrusive`glad—eye。\'Shestoodforminutes，watchingit，tillasortofmaddeneddisgustovercameher，andshelaughedatherselfhollowly。Andstillitrocked，andgavehertheglad—eyefromoneside，thenfromtheother，fromoneside，thenfromtheother。Ah，howunhappyshewas！Inthemidstofhermostactivehappiness，ah，howunhappyshewas！Sheglancedatthetable。Gooseberryjam，andthesamehome—madecakewithtoomuchsodainit！Still，gooseberryjamwasgood，andonesorarelygotit。
AlltheeveningshewantedtogototheMill。Butshecoldlyrefusedtoallowherself。Shewentthenextafternooninstead。ShewashappytofindUrsulaalone。Itwasalovely，intimatesecludedatmosphere。Theytalkedendlesslyanddelightedly。`Aren\'tyoufearfullyhappyhere？\'
saidGudruntohersisterglancingatherownbrighteyesinthemirror。
Shealwaysenvied，almostwithresentment，thestrangepositivefullnessthatsubsistedintheatmospherearoundUrsulaandBirkin。
Howreallybeautifullythisroomisdone，\'shesaidaloud。`Thishardplaitedmatting——whatalovelycolouritis，thecolourofcoollight！\'
Anditseemedtoherperfect。
`Ursula，\'shesaidatlength，inavoiceofquestionanddetachment，`didyouknowthatGeraldCrichhadsuggestedourgoingawayalltogetheratChristmas？\'
`Yes，he\'sspokentoRupert。\'
AdeepflushdyedGudrun\'scheek。Shewassilentamoment，asiftakenaback，andnotknowingwhattosay。
`Butdon\'tyouthing，\'shesaidatlast，`itisamazinglycool！\'
Ursulalaughed。
`Ilikehimforit，\'shesaid。
Gudrunwassilent。Itwasevidentthat，whilstshewasalmostmortifiedbyGerald\'stakingthelibertyofmakingsuchasuggestiontoBirkin，yettheideaitselfattractedherstrongly。
`There\'sratherlovelysimplicityaboutGerald，Ithink，\'saidUrsula，`sodefiant，somehow！Oh，Ithinkhe\'sverylovable。\'
Gudrundidnotreplyforsomemoments。Shehadstilltogetoverthefeelingofinsultatthelibertytakenwithherfreedom。
`WhatdidRupertsay——doyouknow？\'sheasked。