Anditseemedshewaslikethesea，nothingbutdarkwavesrisingandheaving，heavingwithagreatswell，sothatslowlyherwholedarknesswasinmotion，andshewasOceanrollingitsdark，dumbmass。Oh，andfardowninsideherthedeepspartedandrolledasunder，inlong，fair-travellingbillows，andever，atthequickofher，thedepthspartedandrolledasunder，fromthecentreofsoftplunging，astheplungerwentdeeperanddeeper，touchinglower，andshewasdeeperanddeeperanddeeperdisclosed，theheavierthebillowsofherrolledawaytosomeshore，uncoveringher，andcloserandcloserplungedthepalpableunknown，andfurtherandfurtherrolledthewavesofherselfawayfromherselfleavingher，tillsuddenly，inasoft，shudderingconvulsion，thequickofallherplasmwastouched，sheknewherselftouched，theconsummationwasuponher，andshewasgone。
Shewasgone，shewasnot，andshewasborn：awoman。
Ah，toolovely，toolovely!Intheebbingsherealizedalltheloveliness。
Nowallherbodyclungwithtenderlovetotheunknownman，andblindlytothewiltingpenis，asitsotenderly，frailly，unknowinglywithdrew，afterthefiercethrustofitspotency。Asitdrewoutandleftherbody，thesecret，sensitivething，shegaveanunconsciouscryofpureloss，andshetriedtoputitback。Ithadbeensoperfect!Andsheloveditso!
Andonlynowshebecameawareofthesmall，bud-likereticenceandtendernessofthepenis，andalittlecryofwonderandpoignancyescapedheragain，herwoman’sheartcryingoutoverthetenderfrailtyofthatwhichhadbeenthepower。
`Itwassolovely!’shemoaned。`Itwassolovely!’Buthesaidnothing，onlysoftlykissedher，lyingstillaboveher。AndshemoanedwithasortOfbliss，asasacrifice，andanewbornthing。
Andnowinherheartthequeerwonderofhimwasawakened。
Aman!Thestrangepotencyofmanhooduponher!Herhandsstrayedoverhim，stillalittleafraid。Afraidofthatstrange，hostile，slightlyrepulsivethingthathehadbeentoher，aman。Andnowshetouchedhim，anditwasthesonsofgodwiththedaughtersofmen。Howbeautifulhefelt，howpureintissue!Howlovely，howlovely，strong，andyetpureanddelicate，suchstillnessofthesensitivebody!Suchutterstillnessofpotencyanddelicateflesh。Howbeautiful!Howbeautiful!Herhandscametimorouslydownhisback，tothesoft，smallishglobesofthebuttocks。Beauty!Whatbeauty!
asuddenlittleflameofnewawarenesswentthroughher。Howwasitpossible，thisbeautyhere，whereshehadpreviouslyonlybeenrepelled？Theunspeakablebeautytothetouchofthewarm，livingbuttocks!Thelifewithinlife，thesheerwarm，potentloveliness。Andthestrangeweightoftheballsbetweenhislegs!Whatamystery!Whatastrangeheavyweightofmystery，thatcouldliesoftandheavyinone’shand!Theroots，rootofallthatislovely，theprimevalrootofallfullbeauty。
Sheclungtohim，withahissofwonderthatwasalmostawe，terror。
Heheldherclose，buthesaidnothing。Hewouldneversayanything。Shecreptnearertohim，nearer，onlytobeneartothesensualwonderofhim。
Andoutofhisutter，incomprehensiblestillness，shefeltagaintheslowmomentous，surgingriseofthephallusagain，theotherpower。Andherheartmeltedoutwithakindofawe。
Andthistimehisbeingwithinherwasallsoftandiridescent，purelysoftandiridescent，suchasnoconsciousnesscouldseize。Herwholeselfquiveredunconsciousandalive，likeplasm。Shecouldnotknowwhatitwas。Shecouldnotrememberwhatithadbeen。Onlythatithadbeenmorelovelythananythingevercouldbe。Onlythat。Andafterwardsshewasutterlystill，utterlyunknowing，shewasnotawareforhowlong。Andhewasstillwithher，inanunfathomablesilencealongwithher。Andofthis，theywouldneverspeak。
Whenawarenessoftheoutsidebegantocomeback，sheclungtohisbreast，murmuring`Mylove!Mylove!’Andheheldhersilently。Andshecurledonhisbreast，perfect。
Buthissilencewasfathomless。Hishandsheldherlikeflowers，sostillaidstrange。`Whereareyou？’shewhisperedtohim。
`Whereareyou？Speaktome!Saysomethingtome!’
Hekissedhersoftly，murmuring：`Ay，mylass!’
Butshedidnotknowwhathemeant，shedidnotknowwherehewas。Inhissilenceheseemedlosttoher。
`Youloveme，don’tyou？’shemurmured。
`Ay，thaknows!’hesaid。`Buttellme!’shepleaded。
`Ay!Ay!’asn’tterfeltit？’hesaiddimly，butsoftlyandsurely。
Andsheclungclosetohim，closer。Hewassomuchmorepeacefulinlovethanshewas，andshewantedhimtoreassureher。
`Youdoloveme!’shewhispered，assertive。Andhishandsstrokedhersoftly，asifshewereaflower，withoutthequiverofdesire，butwithdelicatenearness。Andstilltherehauntedherarestlessnecessitytogetagriponlove。
`Sayyou’llalwaysloveme!’shepleaded。
`Ay!’hesaid，abstractedly。Andshefeltherquestionsdrivinghimawayfromher。
`Mustn’twegetup？’hesaidatlast。
`No!’shesaid。
Butshecouldfeelhisconsciousnessstraying，listeningtothenoisesoutside。
`It’llbenearlydark，’hesaid。Andsheheardthepressureofcircumstancesinhisvoice。Shekissedhim，withawoman’sgriefatyieldingupherhour。
Herose，andturnedupthelantern，thenbegantopullonhisclothes，quicklydisappearinginsidethem。Thenhestoodthere，aboveher，fasteninghisbreechesandlookingdownatherwithdark，wide-eyes，hisfacealittleflushedandhishairruffled，curiouslywarmandstillandbeautifulinthedimlightofthelantern，sobeautiful，shewouldnevertellhimhowbeautiful。Itmadeherwanttoclingfasttohim，toholdhim，fortherewasawarm，half-sleepyremotenessinhisbeautythatmadeherwanttocryoutandclutchhim，tohavehim。Shewouldneverhavehim。Soshelayontheblanketwithcurved，softnakedhaunches，andhehadnoideawhatshewasthinking，buttohimtooshewasbeautiful，thesoft，marvellousthinghecouldgointo，beyondeverything。
`IlovetheethatIcallgointothee，’hesaid。
`Doyoulikeme？’shesaid，herheartbeating。
`Ithealsitallup，thatIcangointothee。Ilovetheethatthaopenedtome。IlovetheethatIcameintotheelikethat。’
Hebentdownandkissedhersoftflank，rubbedhischeekagainstit，thencovereditup。
`Andwillyouneverleaveme？’shesaid。
`Dunnaaskthemthings，’hesaid。
`ButyoudobelieveIloveyou？’shesaid。
`Thalovedmejustnow，widerthaniverthathoutthawould。Butwhoknowswhat’ll’appen，oncethastartsthinkin’aboutit!’
`No，don’tsaythosethings!——Andyoudon’treallythinkthatIwantedtomakeuseofyou，doyou？’
`How？’
`Tohaveachild——？’
`Nowanybodycan’aveanychildti’th’world，’hesaid，ashesatdownfasteningonhisleggings。
`Ahno!’shecried。`Youdon’tmeanit？’
`Ehwell!’hesaid，lookingatherunderhisbrows。`Thiswort’best。’
Shelaystill。Hesoftlyopenedthedoor。Theskywasdarkblue，withcrystalline，turquoiserim。Hewentout，toshutupthehens，speakingsoftlytohisdog。Andshelayandwonderedatthewonderoflife，andofbeing。
Whenhecamebackshewasstilllyingthere，glowinglikeagipsy。Hesatonthestoolbyher。
`Thamuncomeonenaightterth’cottage，aforethagoos；shollter？’
heasked，liftinghiseyebrowsashelookedather，hishandsdanglingbetweenhisknees。
`Shollter？’sheechoed，teasing。
Hesmiled。`Ay，shollter？’herepeated。
`Ay!’shesaid，imitatingthedialectsound。
`Yi!’hesaid。
`Yi!’sherepeated。
`An’slaipwi’me，’hesaid。`Itneedsthat。Whensholtcome？’
`WhenshollI？’shesaid。
`Nay，’hesaid，`thacannado’t。Whensholtcomethen？’
`’AppenSunday，’shesaid。
`’Appena’Sunday!Ay!’
Helaughedatherquickly。
`Nay，thacanna，’heprotested。
`WhycannaI？’shesaid。
Chapter13
OnSundayCliffordwantedtogointothewood。Itwasalovelymorning，thepear-blossomandplumhadsuddenlyappearedintheworldinawonderofwhitehereandthere。
ItwascruelforClifford，whiletheworldbloomed，tohavetobehelpedfromchairtobath-chair。Buthehadforgotten，andevenseemedtohaveacertainconceitofhimselfinhislameness。Conniestillsuffered，havingtolifthisinertlegsintoplace。MrsBoltondiditnow，orField。
Shewaitedforhimatthetopofthedrive，attheedgeofthescreenofbeeches。Hischaircamepuffingalongwithasortofvaletudinarianslowimportance。Ashejoinedhiswifehesaid：
`SirCliffordonhisroamingsteed!’
`Snorting，atleast!’shelaughed。
Hestoppedandlookedroundatthefacadeofthelong，lowoldbrownhouse。
`Wragbydoesn’twinkaneyelid!’hesaid。`Butthenwhyshouldit!I
rideupontheachievementsofthemindofman，andthatbeatsahorse。’
`Isupposeitdoes。AndthesoulsinPlatoridinguptoheaveninatwo-horsechariotwouldgoinaFordcarnow，’shesaid。
`OraRolls-Royce：Platowasanaristocrat!’
`Quite!Nomoreblackhorsetothrashandmaltreat。Platoneverthoughtwe’dgoonebetterthanhisblacksteedandhiswhitesteed，andhavenosteedsatall，onlyanengine!’
`Onlyanengineandgas!’saidClifford。
`IhopeIcanhavesomerepairsdonetotheoldplacenextyear。IthinkIshallhaveaboutathousandtospareforthat：butworkcostssomuch!’
headded。
`Oh，good!’saidConnie。`Ifonlytherearen’tmorestrikes!’
`Whatwouldbetheuseoftheirstrikingagain!Merelyruintheindustry，what’sleftofit：andsurelytheowlsarebeginningtoseeit!’
`Perhapstheydon’tmindruiningtheindustry，’saidConnie。
`Ah，don’ttalklikeawoman!Theindustryfillstheirbellies，evenifitcan’tkeeptheirpocketsquitesoflush，’hesaid，usingturnsofspeechthatoddlyhadatwangofMrsBolton。
`Butdidn’tyousaytheotherdaythatyouwereaconservative-anarchist，’
sheaskedinnocently。
`AnddidyouunderstandwhatImeant？’heretorted。`AllImeantis，peoplecanbewhattheylikeandfeelwhattheylikeanddowhattheylike，strictlyprivately，solongastheykeeptheformoflifeintact，andtheapparatus。’
Conniewalkedoninsilenceafewpaces。Thenshesaid，obstinately：
`Itsoundslikesayinganeggmaygoasaddledasitlikes，solongasitkeepsitsshellonwhole。Butaddledeggsdobreakofthemselves。’
`Idon’tthinkpeopleareeggs，’hesaid。`Notevenangels’eggs，mydearlittleevangelist。’
Hewasinratherhighfeatherthisbrightmorning。Thelarksweretrillingawayoverthepark，thedistantpitinthehollowwasfumingsilentsteam。
Itwasalmostlikeolddays，beforethewar。Conniedidn’treallywanttoargue。ButthenshedidnotreallywanttogotothewoodwithCliffordeither。Soshewalkedbesidehischairinacertainobstinacyofspirit。
`No，’hesaid。`Therewillbenomorestrikes，it。Thethingisproperlymanaged。’
`Whynot？’
`Becausestrikeswillbemadeasgoodasimpossible。’
`Butwillthemenletyou？’sheasked。
`Weshan’taskthem。Weshalldoitwhiletheyaren’tlooking：fortheirowngood，tosavetheindustry。’
`Foryourowngoodtoo，’shesaid。
`Naturally!Forthegoodofeverybody。Butfortheirgoodevenmorethanmine。Icanlivewithoutthepits。Theycan’t。They’llstarveiftherearenopits。I’vegototherprovision。’
Theylookeduptheshallowvalleyatthemine，andbeyondit，attheblack-liddedhousesofTevershallcrawlinglikesomeserpentupthehill。
Fromtheoldbrownchurchthebellswereringing：Sunday，Sunday，Sunday!
`Butwillthemenletyoudictateterms？’shesaid。`Mydear，theywillhaveto：ifonedoesitgently。’
`Butmightn’ttherebeamutualunderstanding？’
`Absolutely：whentheyrealizethattheindustrycomesbeforetheindividual。’
`Butmustyouowntheindustry？’shesaid。
`Idon’t。ButtotheextentIdoownit，yes，mostdecidedly。Theownershipofpropertyhasnowbecomeareligiousquestion：asithasbeensinceJesusandStFrancis。Thepointisnot：takeallthouhastandgivetothepoor，butuseallthouhasttoencouragetheindustryandgiveworktothepoor。It’stheonlywaytofeedallthemouthsandclotheallthebodies。Givingawayallwehavetothepoorspellsstarvationforthepoorjustasmuchasforus。Anduniversalstarvationisnohighaim。Evengeneralpovertyisnolovelything。Povertyisugly。’
`Butthedisparity？’
`Thatisfate。WhyisthestarJupiterbiggerthanthestarNeptune？
Youcan’tstartalteringthemake-upofthings!’
`Butwhenthisenvyandjealousyanddiscontenthasoncestarted，’shebegan。
`Do，yourbesttostopit。Somebody’sgottobebossoftheshow。’
`Butwhoisbossoftheshow？’sheasked。
`Themenwhoownandruntheindustries。’
Therewasalongsilence。
`Itseemstomethey’reabadboss，’shesaid。
`Thenyousuggestwhattheyshoulddo。’
`Theydon’ttaketheirboss-shipseriouslyenough，’shesaid。
`Theytakeitfarmoreseriouslythanyoutakeyourladyship，’hesaid。
`That’sthrustuponme。Idon’treallywantit，’sheblurtedout。Hestoppedthechairandlookedather。
`Who’sshirkingtheirresponsibilitynow!’hesaid。`Whoistryingtogetawaynowfromtheresponsibilityoftheirownboss-ship，asyoucallit？’
`ButIdon’twantanyboss-ship，’sheprotested。