`No，really，it\'simpossible！\'Ursulawouldreplydistinctly。Andsothetwogirlstookitoutoftheiruniversalenemy。Buttheirfatherbecamemoreandmoreenraged。
Ursulawasallsnowywhite，savethatherhatwaspink，andentirelywithouttrimming，andhershoesweredarkred，andshecarriedanorange—colouredcoat。AndinthisguisetheywerewalkingallthewaytoShortlands，theirfatherandmothergoinginfront。
Theywerelaughingattheirmother，who，dressedinasummermaterialofblackandpurplestripes，andwearingahatofpurplestraw，wassettingforthwithmuchmoreoftheshynessandtrepidationofayounggirlthanherdaughterseverfelt，walkingdemurelybesideherhusband，who，asusual，lookedrathercrumpledinhisbestsuit，asifhewerethefatherofayoungfamilyandhadbeenholdingthebabywhilsthiswifegotdressed。
`Lookattheyoungcoupleinfront，\'saidGudruncalmly。Ursulalookedathermotherandfather，andwassuddenlyseizedwithuncontrollablelaughter。
Thetwogirlsstoodintheroadandlaughedtillthetearsrandowntheirfaces，astheycaughtsightagainoftheshy，unworldlycoupleoftheirparentsgoingonahead。
`Weareroaringatyou，mother，\'calledUrsula，helplesslyfollowingafterherparents。
MrsBrangwenturnedroundwithaslightlypuzzled，exasperatedlook。
`Ohindeed！\'shesaid。`Whatistheresoveryfunnyaboutme，I
shouldliketoknow？\'
Shecouldnotunderstandthattherecouldbeanythingamisswithherappearance。Shehadaperfectcalmsufficiency，aneasyindifferencetoanycriticismwhatsoever，asifshewerebeyondit。Herclotheswerealwaysratherodd，andasaruleslip—shod，yetsheworethemwithaperfecteaseandsatisfaction。Whatevershehadon，solongasshewasbarelytidy，shewasright，beyondremark;suchanaristocratshewasbyinstinct。
`Youlooksostately，likeacountryBaroness，\'saidUrsula，laughingwithalittletendernessathermother\'snaivepuzzledair。
`JustlikeacountryBaroness！\'chimedinGudrun。Nowthemother\'snaturalhauteurbecameself—conscious，andthegirlsshriekedagain。
`Gohome，youpairofidiots，greatgigglingidiots！\'criedthefatherinflamedwithirritation。
`Mm—m—er！\'booedUrsula，pullingafaceathiscrossness。
Theyellowlightsdancedinhiseyes，heleanedforwardinrealrage。
`Don\'tbesosillyastotakeanynoticeofthegreatgabies，\'saidMrsBrangwen，turningonherway。
`I\'llseeifI\'mgoingtobefollowedbyapairofgigglingyellingjackanapes——\'hecriedvengefully。
Thegirlsstoodstill，laughinghelplesslyathisfury，uponthepathbesidethehedge。
`Whyyou\'reassillyastheyare，totakeanynotice，\'saidMrsBrangwenalsobecomingangrynowhewasreallyenraged。
`Therearesomepeoplecoming，father，\'criedUrsula，withmockingwarning。
Heglancedroundquickly，andwentontojoinhiswife，walkingstiffwithrage。Andthegirlsfollowed，weakwithlaughter。
Whenthepeoplehadpassedby，Brangwencriedinaloud，stupidvoice:
`I\'mgoingbackhomeifthere\'sanymoreofthis。I\'mdamnedifI\'mgoingtobemadeafoolofinthisfashion，inthepublicroad。\'
Hewasreallyoutoftemper。Atthesoundofhisblind，vindictivevoice，thelaughtersuddenlyleftthegirls，andtheirheartscontractedwithcontempt。Theyhatedhiswords`inthepublicroad。\'Whatdidtheycareforthepublicroad？ButGudrunwasconciliatory。
`Butweweren\'tlaughingtohurtyou，\'shecried，withanuncouthgentlenesswhichmadeherparentsuncomfortable。`Wewerelaughingbecausewe\'refondofyou。\'
`We\'llwalkoninfront，iftheyaresotouchy，\'saidUrsula，angry。AndinthiswisetheyarrivedatWilleyWater。Thelakewasblueandfair，themeadowsslopeddowninsunshineononeside，thethickdarkwoodsdroppedsteeplyontheother。Thelittlepleasure—launchwasfussingoutfromtheshore，twangingitsmusic，crowdedwithpeople，flappingitspaddles。Neartheboat—housewasathrongofgaily—dressedpersons，smallinthedistance。Andonthehigh—road，someofthecommonpeoplewerestandingalongthehedge，lookingatthefestivitybeyond，enviously，likesoulsnotadmittedtoparadise。
`Myeye！\'saidGudrun，sottovoce，lookingatthemotleyofguests，`there\'saprettycrowdifyoulike！Imagineyourselfinthemidstofthat，mydear。\'
Gudrun\'sapprehensivehorrorofpeopleinthemassunnervedUrsula。
`Itlooksratherawful，\'shesaidanxiously。
`Andimaginewhatthey\'llbelike——imagine！\'saidGudrun，stillinthatunnerving，subduedvoice。Yetsheadvanceddeterminedly。
`Isupposewecangetawayfromthem，\'saidUrsulaanxiously。
`We\'reinaprettyfixifwecan\'t，\'saidGudrun。HerextremeironicloathingandapprehensionwasverytryingtoUrsula。
`Weneedn\'tstay，\'shesaid。
`Icertainlyshan\'tstayfiveminutesamongthatlittlelot，\'saidGudrun。
Theyadvancednearer，tilltheysawpolicemenatthegates。
`Policementokeepyouin，too！\'saidGudrun。`Myword，thisisabeautifulaffair。\'
`We\'dbetterlookafterfatherandmother，\'saidUrsulaanxiously。
`Mother\'sperfectlycapableofgettingthroughthislittlecelebration，\'
saidGudrunwithsomecontempt。
ButUrsulaknewthatherfatherfeltuncouthandangryandunhappy，soshewasfarfromherease。Theywaitedoutsidethegatetilltheirparentscameup。Thetall，thinmaninhiscrumpledclotheswasunnervedandirritableasaboy，findinghimselfonthebrinkofthissocialfunction。Hedidnotfeelagentleman，hedidnotfeelanythingexceptpureexasperation。
Ursulatookherplaceathisside，theygavetheirticketstothepoliceman，andpassedinontothegrass，fourabreast;thetall，hot，ruddy—darkmanwithhisnarrowboyishbrowdrawnwithirritation，thefresh—faced，easywoman，perfectlycollectedthoughherhairwasslippingononeside，thenGudrun，hereyesroundanddarkandstaring，herfullsoftfaceimpassive，almostsulky，sothatsheseemedtobebackingawayinantagonismevenwhilstshewasadvancing;andthenUrsula，withtheodd，brilliant，dazzledlookonherface，thatalwayscamewhenshewasinsomefalsesituation。
Birkinwasthegoodangel。Hecamesmilingtothemwithhisaffectedsocialgrace，thatsomehowwasneverquiteright。Buthetookoffhishatandsmiledatthemwitharealsmileinhiseyes，sothatBrangwencriedoutheartilyinrelief:
`Howdoyoudo？You\'rebetter，areyou？\'
`Yes，I\'mbetter。Howdoyoudo，MrsBrangwen？IknowGudrunandUrsulaverywell。\'
Hiseyessmiledfullofnaturalwarmth。Hehadasoft，flatteringmannerwithwomen，particularlywithwomenwhowerenotyoung。
`Yes，\'saidMrsBrangwen，coolbutyetgratified。`Ihaveheardthemspeakofyouoftenenough。\'
Helaughed。Gudrunlookedaside，feelingshewasbeingbelittled。Peoplewerestandingaboutingroups，somewomenweresittingintheshadeofthewalnuttree，withcupsofteaintheirhands，awaiterineveningdresswashurryinground，somegirlsweresimperingwithparasols，someyoungmen，whohadjustcomeinfromrowing，weresittingcross—leggedonthegrass，coatless，theirshirt—sleevesrolledupinmanlyfashion，theirhandsrestingontheirwhiteflanneltrousers，theirgaudytiesfloatingabout，astheylaughedandtriedtobewittywiththeyoungdamsels。
`Why，\'thoughtGudrunchurlishly，`don\'ttheyhavethemannerstoputtheircoatson，andnottoassumesuchintimacyintheirappearance。\'
Sheabhorredtheordinaryyoungman，withhishairplasteredback，andhiseasy—goingchumminess。
HermioneRoddicecameup，inahandsomegownofwhitelace，trailinganenormoussilkshawlblotchedwithgreatembroideredflowers，andbalancinganenormousplainhatonherhead。Shelookedstriking，astonishing，almostmacabre，sotall，withthefringeofhergreatcream—colouredvividly—blotchedshawltrailingonthegroundafterher，herthickhaircominglowoverhereyes，herfacestrangeandlongandpale，andtheblotchesofbrilliantcolourdrawnroundher。
`Doesn\'tshelookweird！\'Gudrunheardsomegirlstitterbehindher。Andshecouldhavekilledthem。
`Howdoyoudo！\'sangHermione，comingupverykindly，andglancingslowlyoverGudrun\'sfatherandmother。Itwasatryingmoment，exasperatingforGudrun。Hermionewasreallysostronglyentrenchedinherclasssuperiority，shecouldcomeupandknowpeopleoutofsimplecuriosity，asiftheywerecreaturesonexhibition。Gudrunwoulddothesameherself。Butsheresentedbeinginthepositionwhensomebodymightdoittoher。
Hermione，veryremarkable，anddistinguishingtheBrangwensverymuch，ledthemalongtowhereLauraCrichstoodreceivingtheguests。
`ThisisMrsBrangwen，\'sangHermione，andLaura，whoworeastiffembroideredlinendress，shookhandsandsaidshewasgladtoseeher。ThenGeraldcameup，dressedinwhite，withablackandbrownblazer，andlookinghandsome。
HetoowasintroducedtotheBrangwenparents，andimmediatelyhespoketoMrsBrangwenasifshewerealady，andtoBrangwenasifhewerenotagentleman。Gerladwassoobviousinhisdemeanour。Hehadtoshakehandswithhislefthand，becausehehadhurthisright，andcarriedit，bandagedup，inthepocketofhisjacket。Gudrunwasverythankfulthatnoneofherpartyaskedhimwhatwasthematterwiththehand。
Thesteamlaunchwasfussingin，allitsmusicjingling，peoplecallingexcitedlyfromonboard。Geraldwenttoseetothedebarkation，BirkinwasgettingteaforMrsBrangwen，BrangwenhadjoinedaGrammar—Schoolgroup，Hermionewassittingdownbytheirmother，thegirlswenttothelanding—stagetowatchthelaunchcomein。
Shehootedandtootedgaily，thenherpaddlesweresilent，theropeswerethrownashore，shedriftedinwithalittlebump。Immediatelythepassengerscrowdedexcitedlytocomeashore。
`Waitaminute，waitaminute，\'shoutedGeraldinsharpcommand。
Theymustwaittilltheboatwastightontheropes，tillthesmallgangwaywasputout。Thentheystreamedashore，clamouringasiftheyhadcomefromAmerica。
`Ohit\'ssonice！\'theyounggirlswerecrying。`It\'squitelovely。\'
Thewaitersfromonboardranouttotheboat—housewithbaskets，thecaptainloungedonthelittlebridge。Seeingallsafe，GeraldcametoGudrunandUrsula。
`Youwouldn\'tcaretogoonboardforthenexttrip，andhaveteathere？\'
heasked。
`Nothanks，\'saidGudruncoldly。
`Youdon\'tcareforthewater？\'
`Forthewater？Yes，Ilikeitverymuch。\'
Helookedather，hiseyessearching。
`Youdon\'tcareforgoingonalaunch，then？\'
Shewasslowinanswering，andthenshespokeslowly。
`No，\'shesaid。`Ican\'tsaythatIdo。\'Hercolourwashigh，sheseemedangryaboutsomething。
`Unpeutropdemonde，\'saidUrsula，explaining。
`Eh？Tropdemonde！\'Helaughedshortly。`Yesthere\'safairnumberof\'em。\'
Gudrunturnedonhimbrilliantly。
`HaveyoueverbeenfromWestminsterBridgetoRichmondononeoftheThamessteamers？\'shecried。
`No，\'hesaid，`Ican\'tsayIhave。\'
`Well，it\'soneofthemostvileexperiencesI\'veeverhad。\'
Shespokerapidlyandexcitedly，thecolourhighinhercheeks。`Therewasabsolutelynowheretositdown，nowhere，amanjustabovesang\"RockedintheCradleoftheDeep\"thewholeway;hewasblindandhehadasmallorgan，oneofthoseportableorgans，andheexpectedmoney;soyoucanimaginewhatthatwaslike;therecameaconstantsmellofluncheonfrombelow，andpuffsofhotoilymachinery;thejourneytookhoursandhoursandhours;andformiles，literallyformiles，dreadfulboysranwithusontheshore，inthatawfulThamesmud，goinginuptothewaist——theyhadtheirtrousersturnedback，andtheywentuptotheirhipsinthatindescribableThamesmud，theirfacesalwaysturnedtous，andscreaming，exactlylikecarrioncreatures，screaming\"\'Erey\'aresir，\'erey\'aresir，\'erey\'aresir，\"exactlylikesomefoulcarrionobjects，perfectlyobscene;andpaterfamiliasonboard，laughingwhentheboyswentrightdowninthatawfulmud，occasionallythrowingthemaha\'penny。Andifyou\'dseentheintentlookonthefacesoftheseboys，andthewaytheydartedinthefilthwhenacoinwasflung——really，novultureorjackalcoulddreamofapproachingthem，forfoulness。Ineverwouldgoonapleasureboatagain——never。\'
Geraldwatchedherallthetimeshespoke，hiseyesglitteringwithfaintrousedness。Itwasnotsomuchwhatshesaid;itwassheherselfwhorousedhim，rousedhimwithasmall，vividpricking。
`Ofcourse，\'hesaid，`everycivilisedbodyisboundtohaveitsvermin。\'
`Why？\'criedUrsula。`Idon\'thavevermin。\'
`Andit\'snotthat——it\'sthequalityofthewholething——
paterfamiliaslaughingandthinkingitsport，andthrowingtheha\'pennies，andmaterfamiliasspreadingherfatlittlekneesandeating，continuallyeating——\'repliedGudrun。
`Yes，\'saidUrsula。`Itisn\'ttheboyssomuchwhoarevermin;it\'sthepeoplethemselves，thewholebodypolitic，asyoucallit。\'
Geraldlaughed。
`Nevermind，\'hesaid。`Youshan\'tgoonthelaunch。\'
Gudrunflushedquicklyathisrebuke。
Therewereafewmomentsofsilence。Gerald，likeasentinel，waswatchingthepeoplewhoweregoingontotheboat。Hewasverygood—lookingandself—contained，buthisairofsoldierlyalertnesswasratherirritating。
`Willyouhaveteaherethen，orgoacrosstothehouse，wherethere\'satentonthelawn？\'heasked。
`Can\'twehavearowingboat，andgetout？\'askedUrsula，whowasalwaysrushingintoofast。
`Togetout？\'smiledGerald。
`Yousee，\'criedGudrun，flushingatUrsula\'soutspokenrudeness，`wedon\'tknowthepeople，wearealmostcompletestrangershere。\'
`Oh，Icansoonsetyouupwithafewacquaintances，\'hesaideasily。
Gudrunlookedathim，toseeifitwereill—meant。Thenshesmiledathim。
`Ah，\'shesaid，`youknowwhatwemean。Can\'twegoupthere，andexplorethatcoast？\'Shepointedtoagroveonthehillockofthemeadow—side，neartheshorehalfwaydownthelake。`Thatlooksperfectlylovely。Wemightevenbathe。Isn\'titbeautifulinthislight。Really，it\'slikeoneofthereachesoftheNile——asoneimaginestheNile。\'
Geraldsmiledatherfactitiousenthusiasmforthedistantspot。
`You\'resureit\'sfarenoughoff？\'heaskedironically，addingatonce:
`Yes，youmightgothere，ifwecouldgetaboat。Theyseemtobeallout。\'
Helookedroundthelakeandcountedtherowingboatsonitssurface。
`Howlovelyitwouldbe！\'criedUrsulawistfully。
`Anddon\'tyouwanttea？\'hesaid。
`Oh，\'saidGudrun，`wecouldjustdrinkacup，andbeoff。\'
Helookedfromonetotheother，smiling。Hewassomewhatoffended——
yetsporting。
`Canyoumanageaboatprettywell？\'heasked。
`Yes，\'repliedGudrun，coldly，`prettywell。\'
`Ohyes，\'criedUrsula。`Wecanbothofusrowlikewater—spiders。\'
`Youcan？There\'slightlittlecanoeofmine，thatIdidn\'ttakeoutforfearsomebodyshoulddrownthemselves。Doyouthinkyou\'dbesafeinthat？\'
`Ohperfectly，\'saidGudrun。
`Whatanangel！\'criedUrsula。
`Don\'t，formysake，haveanaccident——becauseI\'mresponsibleforthewater。\'
`Sure，\'pledgedGudrun。
`Besides，wecanbothswimquitewell，\'saidUrsula。
`Well——thenI\'llgetthemtoputyouupatea—basket，andyoucanpicnicalltoyourselves，——that\'stheidea，isn\'tit？\'
`Howfearfullygood！Howfrightfullyniceifyoucould！\'criedGudrunwarmly，hercolourflushingupagain。Itmadethebloodstirinhisveins，thesubtlewaysheturnedtohimandinfusedhergratitudeintohisbody。
`Where\'sBirkin？\'hesaid，hiseyestwinkling。`Hemighthelpmetogetitdown。\'
`Butwhataboutyourhand？Isn\'tithurt？\'askedGudrun，rathermuted，asifavoidingtheintimacy。Thiswasthefirsttimethehurthadbeenmentioned。Thecuriouswaysheskirtedroundthesubjectsentanew，subtlecaressthroughhisveins。Hetookhishandoutofhispocket。Itwasbandaged。
Helookedatit，thenputitinhispocketagain。Gudrunquiveredatthesightofthewrappeduppaw。
`OhIcanmanagewithonehand。Thecanoeisaslightasafeather，\'
hesaid。`There\'sRupert！——Rupert！\'
Birkinturnedfromhissocialdutiesandcametowardsthem。
`Whathaveyoudonetoit？\'askedUrsula，whohadbeenachingtoputthequestionforthelasthalfhour。
`Tomyhand？\'saidGerald。`Itrappeditinsomemachinery。\'
`Ugh！\'saidUrsula。`Anddidithurtmuch？\'
`Yes，\'hesaid。`Itdidatthetime。It\'sgettingbetternow。Itcrushedthefingers。\'
`Oh，\'criedUrsula，asifinpain，`Ihatepeoplewhohurtthemselves。
Icanfeelit。\'Andsheshookherhand。
`Whatdoyouwant？\'saidBirkin。
Thetwomencarrieddowntheslimbrownboat，andsetitonthewater。
`You\'requitesureyou\'llbesafeinit？\'Geraldasked。
`Quitesure，\'saidGudrun。`Iwouldn\'tbesomeanastotakeit，iftherewastheslightestdoubt。ButI\'vehadacanoeatArundel，andIassureyouI\'mperfectlysafe。\'
Sosaying，havinggivenherwordlikeaman，sheandUrsulaenteredthefrailcraft，andpushedgentlyoff。Thetwomenstoodwatchingthem。
Gudrunwaspaddling。Sheknewthemenwerewatchingher，anditmadeherslowandratherclumsy。Thecolourflewinherfacelikeaflag。
`Thanksawfully，\'shecalledbacktohim，fromthewater，astheboatslidaway。`It\'slovely——likesittinginaleaf。\'
Helaughedatthefancy。Hervoicewasshrillandstrange，callingfromthedistance。Hewatchedherasshepaddledaway。Therewassomethingchildlikeabouther，trustfulanddeferential，likeachild。Hewatchedherallthewhile，assherowed。AndtoGudrunitwasarealdelight，inmake—belief，tobethechildlike，clingingwomantothemanwhostoodthereonthequay，sogood—lookingandefficientinhiswhiteclothes，andmoreoverthemostimportantmansheknewatthemoment。Shedidnottakeanynoticeofthewavering，indistinct，lambentBirkin，whostoodathisside。Onefigureatatimeoccupiedthefieldofherattention。
Theboatrustledlightlyalongthewater。Theypassedthebatherswhosestripedtentsstoodbetweenthewillowsofthemeadow\'sedge，anddrewalongtheopenshore，pastthemeadowsthatslopedgoldeninthelightofthealreadylateafternoon。Otherboatswerestealingunderthewoodedshoreopposite，theycouldhearpeople\'slaughterandvoices。ButGudrunrowedontowardstheclumpoftreesthatbalancedperfectinthedistance，inthegoldenlight。
Thesistersfoundalittleplacewhereatinystreamflowedintothelake，withreedsandflowerymarshofpinkwillowherb，andagravellybanktotheside。Heretheyrandelicatelyashore，withtheirfrailboat，thetwogirlstookofftheirshoesandstockingsandwentthroughthewater\'sedgetothegrass。Thetinyripplesofthelakewerewarmandclear，theyliftedtheirboatontothebank，andlookedroundwithjoy。Theywerequitealoneinaforsakenlittlestream—mouth，andontheknolljustbehindwastheclumpoftrees。
`Wewillbathejustforamoment，\'saidUrsula，`andthenwe\'llhavetea。\'
Theylookedround。Nobodycouldnoticethem，orcouldcomeupintimetoseethem。InlessthanaminuteUrsulahadthrownoffherclothesandhadslippednakedintothewater，andwasswimmingout。Quickly，Gudrunjoinedher。Theyswamsilentlyandblissfullyforafewminutes，circlingroundtheirlittlestream—mouth。Thentheyslippedashoreandranintothegroveagain，likenymphs。
`Howlovelyitistobefree，\'saidUrsula，runningswiftlyhereandtherebetweenthetreetrunks，quitenaked，herhairblowingloose。Thegrovewasofbeech—trees，bigandsplendid，asteel—greyscaffoldingoftrunksandboughs，withlevelspraysofstronggreenhereandthere，whilstthroughthenorthernsidethedistanceglimmeredopenasthroughawindow。
Whentheyhadrunanddancedthemselvesdry，thegirlsquicklydressedandsatdowntothefragranttea。Theysatonthenorthernsideofthegrove，intheyellowsunshinefacingtheslopeofthegrassyhill，aloneinalittlewildworldoftheirown。Theteawashotandaromatic，thereweredeliciouslittlesandwichesofcucumberandofcaviare，andwinycakes。
`Areyouhappy，Prune？\'criedUrsulaindelight，lookingathersister。
`Ursula，I\'mperfectlyhappy，\'repliedGudrungravely，lookingatthewesteringsun。
`SoamI。\'
Whentheyweretogether，doingthethingstheyenjoyed，thetwosisterswerequitecompleteinaperfectworldoftheirown。Andthiswasoneoftheperfectmomentsoffreedomanddelight，suchaschildrenaloneknow，whenallseemsaperfectandblissfuladventure。
Whentheyhadfinishedtea，thetwogirlssaton，silentandserene。
ThenUrsula，whohadabeautifulstrongvoice，begantosingtoherself，softly:`AnnchenvonTharau。\'Gudrunlistened，asshesatbeneaththetrees，andtheyearningcameintoherheart。Ursulaseemedsopeacefulandsufficientuntoherself，sittingthereunconsciouslycrooninghersong，strongandunquestionedatthecentreofherownuniverse。AndGudrunfeltherselfoutside。Alwaysthisdesolating，agonisedfeeling，thatshewasoutsideoflife，anonlooker，whilstUrsulawasapartaker，causedGudruntosufferfromasenseofherownnegation，andmadeher，thatshemustalwaysdemandtheothertobeawareofher，tobeinconnectionwithher。
`DoyoumindifIdoDalcrozetothattune，Hurtler？\'sheaskedinacuriousmutedtone，scarcemovingherlips。
`Whatdidyousay？\'askedUrsula，lookingupinpeacefulsurprise。
`WillyousingwhileIdoDalcroze？\'saidGudrun，sufferingathavingtorepeatherself。
Ursulathoughtamoment，gatheringherstrayingwitstogether。
`Whileyoudo——？\'sheaskedvaguely。
`Dalcrozemovements，\'saidGudrun，sufferingtorturesofself—consciousness，evenbecauseofhersister。
`OhDalcroze！Icouldn\'tcatchthename。Do——Ishouldlovetoseeyou，\'criedUrsula，withchildishsurprisedbrightness。`WhatshallIsing？\'
`Singanythingyoulike，andI\'lltaketherhythmfromit。\'
ButUrsulacouldnotforherlifethinkofanythingtosing。However，shesuddenlybegan，inalaughing，teasingvoice:
`Mylove——isahigh—bornlady——\'
Gudrun，lookingasifsomeinvisiblechainweighedonherhandsandfeet，beganslowlytodanceintheeurythmicmanner，pulsingandflutteringrhythmicallywithherfeet，makingslower，regulargestureswithherhandsandarms，nowspreadingherarmswide，nowraisingthemaboveherhead，nowflingingthemsoftlyapart，andliftingherface，herfeetallthetimebeatingandrunningtothemeasureofthesong，asifitweresomestrangeincantation，herwhite，raptformdriftinghereandthereinastrangeimpulsiverhapsody，seemingtobeliftedonabreezeofincantation，shudderingwithstrangelittleruns。Ursulasatonthegrass，hermouthopeninhersinging，hereyeslaughingasifshethoughtitwasagreatjoke，butayellowlightflashingupinthem，asshecaughtsomeoftheunconsciousritualisticsuggestionofthecomplexshudderingandwavinganddriftingofhersister\'swhiteform，thatwasclutchedinpure，mindless，tossingrhythm，andawillsetpowerfulinakindofhypnoticinfluence。
`Myloveisahigh—bornlady——Sheis—s—s——ratherdarkthanshady——\'rangoutUrsula\'slaughing，satiricsong，andquicker，fiercerwentGudruninthedance，stampingasifsheweretryingtothrowoffsomebond，flingingherhandssuddenlyandstampingagain，thenrushingwithfaceupliftedandthroatfullandbeautiful，andeyeshalfclosed，sightless。
Thesunwaslowandyellow，sinkingdown，andintheskyfloatedathin，ineffectualmoon。
Ursulawasquiteabsorbedinhersong，whensuddenlyGudrunstoppedandsaidmildly，ironically:
`Ursula！\'
`Yes？\'saidUrsula，openinghereyesoutofthetrance。
Gudrunwasstandingstillandpointing，amockingsmileonherface，towardstheside。
`Ugh！\'criedUrsulainsuddenpanic，startingtoherfeet。
`They\'requiteallright，\'rangoutGudrun\'ssardonicvoice。
OntheleftstoodalittleclusterofHighlandcattle，vividlycolouredandfleecyintheeveninglight，theirhornsbranchingintothesky，pushingforwardtheirmuzzlesinquisitively，toknowwhatitwasallabout。Theireyesglitteredthroughtheirtangleofhair，theirnakednostrilswerefullofshadow。
`Won\'ttheydoanything？\'criedUrsulainfear。
Gudrun，whowasusuallyfrightenedofcattle，nowshookherheadinaqueer，half—doubtful，half—sardonicmotion，afaintsmileroundhermouth。
`Don\'ttheylookcharming，Ursula？\'criedGudrun，inahigh，stridentvoice，somethinglikethescreamofaseagull。
`Charming，\'criedUrsulaintrepidation。`Butwon\'ttheydoanythingtous？\'
AgainGudrunlookedbackathersisterwithanenigmaticsmile，andshookherhead。
`I\'msuretheywon\'t，\'shesaid，asifshehadtoconvinceherselfalso，andyet，asifshewereconfidentofsomesecretpowerinherself，andhadtoputittothetest。`Sitdownandsingagain，\'shecalledinherhigh，stridentvoice。
`I\'mfrightened，\'criedUrsula，inapatheticvoice，watchingthegroupofsturdyshortcattle，thatstoodwiththeirkneesplanted，andwatchedwiththeirdark，wickedeyes，throughthemattedfringeoftheirhair。
Nevertheless，shesankdownagain，inherformerposture。
`Theyarequitesafe，\'cameGudrun\'shighcall。`Singsomething，you\'veonlytosingsomething。\'
Itwasevidentshehadastrangepassiontodancebeforethesturdy，handsomecattle。
Ursulabegantosing，inafalsequaveringvoice:
`WaydowninTennessee——\'
Shesoundedpurelyanxious。Nevertheless，Gudrun，withherarmsoutspreadandherfaceuplifted，wentinastrangepalpitatingdancetowardsthecattle，liftingherbodytowardsthemasifinaspell，herfeetpulsingasifinsomelittlefrenzyofunconscioussensation，herarms，herwrists，herhandsstretchingandheavingandfallingandreachingandreachingandfalling，herbreastsliftedandshakentowardsthecattle，herthroatexposedasinsomevoluptuousecstasytowardsthem，whilstshedriftedimperceptiblynearer，anuncannywhitefigure，towardsthem，carriedawayinitsownrapttrance，ebbinginstrangefluctuationsuponthecattle，thatwaited，andduckedtheirheadsalittleinsuddencontractionfromher，watchingallthetimeasifhypnotised，theirbarehornsbranchingintheclearlight，asthewhitefigureofthewomanebbeduponthem，intheslow，hypnotisingconvulsionofthedance。Shecouldfeelthemjustinfrontofher，itwasasifshehadtheelectricpulsefromtheirbreastsrunningintoherhands。Soonshewouldtouchthem，actuallytouchthem。
Aterribleshiveroffearandpleasurewentthroughher。Andallthewhile，Ursula，spell—bound，keptupherhigh—pitchedthin，irrelevantsong，whichpiercedthefadingeveninglikeanincantation。
Gudruncouldhearthecattlebreathingheavilywithhelplessfearandfascination。Oh，theywerebravelittlebeasts，thesewildScotchbullocks，wildandfleecy。Suddenlyoneofthemsnorted，duckeditshead，andbacked。