`BecausewhenIfeelthehumanworldisdoomed，hasdoomeditselfbyitsownmingybeastliness，thenIfeeltheColoniesaren’tfarenough。
Themoonwouldn’tbefarenough，becauseeventhereyoucouldlookbackandseetheearth，dirty，beastly，unsavouryamongallthestars：madefoulbymen。ThenIfeelI’veswallowedgall，andit’seatingmyinsideout，andnowhere’sfarenoughawaytogetaway。ButwhenIgetaturn，Iforgetitallagain。Thoughit’sashame，what’sbeendonetopeopletheselasthundredyears：menturnedintonothingbutlabour-insects，andalltheirmanhoodtakenaway，andalltheirreallife。I’dwipethemachinesoffthefaceoftheearthagain，andendtheindustrialepochabsolutely，likeablackmistake。ButsinceIcan’t，an’nobodycan，I’dbetterholdmypeace，an’tryan’livemyownlife：ifI’vegotonetolive，whichIratherdoubt。’
Thethunderhadceasedoutside，buttherainwhichhadabated，suddenlycamestrikingdown，withalastblenchoflightningandmutterofdepartingstorm。Conniewasuneasy。Hehadtalkedsolongnow，andhewasreallytalkingtohimselfnottoher。Despairseemedtocomedownonhimcompletely，andshewasfeelinghappy，shehateddespair。Sheknewherleavinghim，whichhehadonlyjustrealizedinsidehimselfhadplungedhimbackintothismood。Andshetriumphedalittle。
Sheopenedthedoorandlookedatthestraightheavyrain，likeasteelcurtain，andhadasuddendesiretorushoutintoit，torushaway。Shegotup，andbeganswiftlypullingoffherstockings，thenherdressandunderclothing，andheheldhisbreath。Herpointedkeenanimalbreaststippedandstirredasshemoved。Shewasivory-colouredinthegreenishlight。Sheslippedonherrubbershoesagainandranoutwithawildlittlelaugh，holdingupherbreaststotheheavyrainandspreadingherarms，andrunningblurredintherainwiththeeurhythmicdancemovementsshehadlearnedsolongagoinDresden。Itwasastrangepallidfigureliftingandfalling，bendingsotherainbeatandglistenedonthefullhaunches，swayingupagainandcomingbelly-forwardthroughtherain，thenstoopingagainsothatonlythefullloinsandbuttockswereofferedinakindofhomagetowardshim，repeatingawildobeisance。
Helaughedwryly，andthrewoffhisclothes。Itwastoomuch。Hejumpedout，nakedandwhite，withalittleshiver，intothehardslantingrain。
Flossiesprangbeforehimwithafranticlittlebark。Connie，herhairallwetandstickingtoherhead，turnedherhotfaceandsawhim。Herblueeyesblazedwithexcitementassheturnedandranfast，withastrangechargingmovement，outoftheclearinganddownthepath，thewetboughswhippingher。Sheran，andhesawnothingbuttheroundwethead，thewetbackleaningforwardinflight，theroundedbuttockstwinkling：awonderfulcoweringfemalenakednessinflight。
Shewasnearlyatthewideridingwhenhecameupandflunghisnakedarmroundhersoft，naked-wetmiddle。Shegaveashriekandstraightenedherselfandtheheapofhersoft，chillfleshcameupagainsthisbody。
Hepresseditallupagainsthim，madly，theheapofsoft，chilledfemalefleshthatbecamequicklywarmasflame，incontact。Therainstreamedonthemtilltheysmoked。Hegatheredherlovely，heavyposteriorsoneineachhandandpressedthemintowardshiminafrenzy，quiveringmotionlessintherain。Thensuddenlyhetippedherupandfellwithheronthepath，intheroaringsilenceoftherain，andshortandsharp，hetookher，shortandsharpandfinished，likeananimal。
Hegotupinaninstant，wipingtherainfromhiseyes。
`Comein，’hesaid，andtheystartedrunningbacktothehut。Heranstraightandswift：hedidn’tliketherain。Butshecameslower，gatheringforget-me-notsandcampionandbluebells，runningafewstepsandwatchinghimfleeingawayfromher。
Whenshecamewithherflowers，pantingtothehut，hehadalreadystartedafire，andthetwigswerecrackling。Hersharpbreastsroseandfell，herhairwasplastereddownwithrain，herfacewasflushedruddyandherbodyglistenedandtrickled。Wide-eyedandbreathless，withasmallwetheadandfull，trickling，naï；vehaunches，shelookedanothercreature。
Hetooktheoldsheetandrubbedherdown，shestandinglikeachild。
Thenherubbedhimselfhavingshutthedoorofthehut。Thefirewasblazingup。Sheduckedherheadintheotherendofthesheet，andrubbedherwethair。
`We’redryingourselvestogetheronthesametowel，weshallquarrel!’
hesaid。
Shelookedupforamoment，herhairalloddsandends。
`No!’shesaid，hereyeswide。`It’snotatowel，it’sasheet。’Andshewentonbusilyrubbingherhead，whilehebusilyrubbedhis。
Stillpantingwiththeirexertions，eachwrappedinanarmyblanket，butthefrontofthebodyopentothefire，theysatonalogsidebysidebeforetheblaze，togetquiet。Conniehatedthefeeloftheblanketagainstherskin。Butnowthesheetwasallwet。
Shedroppedherblanketandkneeledontheclayhearth，holdingherheadtothefire，andshakingherhairtodryit。Hewatchedthebeautifulcurvingdropofherhaunches。Thatfascinatedhimtoday。Howitslopedwitharichdown-slopetotheheavyroundnessofherbuttocks!Andinbetween，foldedinthesecretwarmth，thesecretentrances!
Hestrokedhertailwithhishand，longandsubtlytakinginthecurvesandtheglobe-fullness。
`Tha’sgotsuchanicetailonthee，’hesaid，inthethroatycaressivedialect。`Tha’sgotthenicestarseofanybody。It’sthenicest，nicestwoman’sarseasis!An’iverybitofitiswoman，womansureasnuts。Tha’rtnotoneo’thembutton-arsedlassesasshouldbelads，areter!Tha’sgotarealsoftslopingbottomonthee，asamanlovesin’isguts。It’sabottomascouldholdtheworldup，itis!’
Allthewhilehespokeheexquisitelystrokedtheroundedtail，tillitseemedasifaslipperysortoffirecamefromitintohishands。Andhisfinger-tipstouchedthetwosecretopeningstoherbody，timeaftertime，withasoftlittlebrushoffire。
`An’ifthashitsan’ifthapisses，I’mglad。Idon’twantawomanascouldnashitnorpiss。’
Conniecouldnothelpasuddensnortofastonishedlaughter，buthewentonunmoved。
`Tha’rtreal，thaart!Tha’artreal，evenabitofabitch。Herethashitsan’herethapisses：an’Ilaymyhandon’embothan’liketheeforit。Iliketheeforit。Tha’sgotaproper，woman’sarse，proudofitself。It’snoneashamedofitselfthisisna。’
Helaidhishandcloseandfirmoverhersecretplaces，inakindofclosegreeting。
`Ilikeit，’hesaid。`Ilikeit!An’ifIonlylivedtenminutes，an’
strokedthyarsean’gottoknowit，IshouldreckonI’dlivedonelife，seeter!Industrialsystemornot!Here’soneo’mylifetimes。’
Sheturnedroundandclimbedintohislap，clingingtohim。`Kissme!’
shewhispered。
Andsheknewthethoughtoftheirseparationwaslatentinboththeirminds，andatlastshewassad。
Shesatonhisthighs，herheadagainsthisbreast，andherivory-gleaminglegslooselyapart，thefireglowingunequallyuponthem。Sittingwithhisheaddropped，helookedatthefoldsofherbodyinthefire-glow，andatthefleeceofsoftbrownhairthathungdowntoapointbetweenheropenthighs。Hereachedtothetablebehind，andtookupherbunchofflowers，stillsowetthatdropsofrainfellontoher。
`Flowersstopsoutofdoorsallweathers，’hesaid。`Theyhavenohouses。’
`Notevenahut!’shemurmured。
Withquietfingershethreadedafewforget-me-notflowersinthefinebrownfleeceofthemoundofVenus。
`There!’hesaid。`There’sforget-me-notsintherightplace!’
Shelookeddownatthemilkyoddlittleflowersamongthebrownmaiden-hairatthelowertipofherbody。
`Doesn’titlookpretty!’shesaid。
`Prettyaslife，’hereplied。
Andhestuckapinkcampion-budamongthehair。
`There!That’smewhereyouwon’tforgetme!That’sMosesinthebull-rushes。’
`Youdon’tmind，doyou，thatI’mgoingaway？’sheaskedwistfully，lookingupintohisface。
Buthisfacewasinscrutable，undertheheavybrows。Hekeptitquiteblank。
`Youdoasyouwish，’hesaid。
AndhespokeingoodEnglish。
`ButIwon’tgoifyoudon’twishit，’shesaid，clingingtohim。
Therewassilence。Heleanedandputanotherpieceofwoodonthefire。
Theflameglowedonhissilent，abstractedface。Shewaited，buthesaidnothing。
`OnlyIthoughtitwouldbeagoodwaytobeginabreakwithClifford。
Idowantachild。Anditwouldgivemeachanceto，to——，’sheresumed。
`Toletthemthinkafewlies，’hesaid。
`Yes，thatamongotherthings。Doyouwantthemtothinkthetruth？’
`Idon’tcarewhattheythink。’
`Ido!Idon’twantthemhandlingmewiththeirunpleasantcoldminds，notwhileI’mstillatWragby。TheycanthinkwhattheylikewhenI’mfinallygone。’
Hewassilent。
`ButSirCliffordexpectsyoutocomebacktohim？’
`Oh，Imustcomeback，’shesaid：andtherewassilence。
`AndwouldyouhaveachildinWragby？’heasked。
Sheclosedherarmroundhisneck。
`Ifyouwouldn’ttakemeaway，Ishouldhaveto，’shesaid。
`Takeyouwhereto？’
`Anywhere!away!ButrightawayfromWragby。’
`When？’
`Why，whenIcomeback。’
`Butwhat’sthegoodofcomingback，doingthethingtwice，ifyou’reoncegone？’hesaid。
`Oh，Imustcomeback。I’vepromised!I’vepromisedsofaithfully。Besides，Icomebacktoyou，really。’
`Toyourhusband’sgame-keeper？’
`Idon’tseethatthatmatters，’shesaid。
`No？’Hemusedawhile。`Andwhenwouldyouthinkofgoingawayagain，then；finally？Whenexactly？’
`Oh，Idon’tknow。I’dcomebackfromVenice。Andthenwe’dprepareeverything。’
`Howprepare？’
`Oh，I’dtellClifford。I’dhavetotellhim。’
`Wouldyou!’
Heremainedsilent。Sheputherarmsroundhisneck。
`Don’tmakeitdifficultforme，’shepleaded。
`Makewhatdifficult？’
`FormetogotoVeniceandarrangethings。’
Alittlesmile，halfagrin，flickeredonhisface。
`Idon’tmakeitdifficult，’hesaid。`Ionlywanttofindoutjustwhatyouareafter。Butyoudon’treallyknowyourself。Youwanttotaketime：getawayandlookatit。Idon’tblameyou。Ithinkyou’rewise。
YoumayprefertostaymistressofWragby。Idon’tblameyou。I’venoWragbystooffer。Infact，youknowwhatyou’llgetoutofme。No，no，Ithinkyou’reright!Ireallydo!AndI’mnotkeenoncomingtoliveonyou，beingkeptbyyou。There’sthattoo。’
Shefeltsomehowasifheweregivinghertitfortat。
`Butyouwantme，don’tyou？’sheasked。
`Doyouwantme？’
`YouknowIdo。That’sevident。’
`Quite!Andwhendoyouwantme？’
`YouknowwecanarrangeitallwhenIcomeback。NowI’moutofbreathwithyou。Imustgetcalmandclear。’
`Quite!Getcalmandclear!’
Shewasalittleoffended。
`Butyoutrustme，don’tyou？’shesaid。
`Oh，absolutely!’
Sheheardthemockeryinhistone。
`Tellmethen，’shesaidflatly；`doyouthinkitwouldbebetterifIdon’tgotoVenice？’
`I’msureit’sbetterifyoudogotoVenice，’herepliedinthecool，slightlymockingvoice。
`Youknowit’snextThursday？’shesaid。
`Yes!’
Shenowbegantomuse。Atlastshesaid：
`AndweshallknowbetterwherewearewhenIcomeback，shan’twe？’
`Ohsurely!’
Thecuriousgulfofsilencebetweenthem!
`I’vebeentothelawyeraboutmydivorce，’hesaid，alittleconstrainedly。
Shegaveaslightshudder。
`Haveyou!’shesaid。`Andwhatdidhesay？’
`HesaidIoughttohavedoneitbefore；thatmaybeadifficulty。ButsinceIwasinthearmy，hethinksitwillgothroughallright。Ifonlyitdoesn’tbringherdownonmyhead!’
`Willshehavetoknow？’
`Yes!sheisservedwithanotice：soisthemansheliveswith，theco-respondent。’
`Isn’tithateful，alltheperformances!IsupposeI’dhavetogothroughitwithClifford。’
Therewasasilence。
`Andofcourse，’hesaid，`Ihavetoliveanexemplarylifeforthenextsixoreightmonths。SoifyougotoVenice，there’stemptationremovedforaweekortwo，atleast。’
`AmItemptation!’shesaid，strokinghisface。`I’msogladI’mtemptationtoyou!Don’tlet’sthinkaboutit!Youfrightenmewhenyoustartthinking：
yourollmeoutflat。Don’tlet’sthinkaboutit。Wecanthinksomuchwhenweareapart。That’sthewholepoint!I’vebeenthinking，ImustcometoyouforanothernightbeforeIgo。Imustcomeoncemoretothecottage。ShallIcomeonThursdaynight？’
`Isn’tthatwhenyoursisterwillbethere？’
`Yes!Butshesaidwewouldstartattea-time。Sowecouldstartattea-time。ButshecouldsleepsomewhereelseandIcouldsleepwithyou。
`Butthenshe’dhavetoknow。’
`Oh，Ishalltellher。I’vemoreorlesstoldheralready。ImusttalkitalloverwithHilda。She’sagreathelp，sosensible。’
Hewasthinkingofherplan。
`Soyou’dstartofffromWragbyattea-time，asifyouweregoingtoLondon？Whichwaywereyougoing？’
`ByNottinghamandGrantham。’
`Andthenyoursisterwoulddropyousomewhereandyou’dwalkordrivebackhere？Soundsveryrisky，tome。’
`Doesit？Well，then，Hildacouldbringmeback。ShecouldsleepatMansfield，andbringmebackhereintheevening，andfetchmeagaininthemorning。It’squiteeasy。’