第2章
`That"sdoneit！"shesaid。
Sheputherhandonthearmofhercare—worn，sallowfather，andfrothingherlightdraperies，proceededovertheeternalredcarpet。Herfather，muteandyellowish，hisblackbeardmakinghimlookmorecareworn，mountedthestepsstiffly，asifhisspiritwereabsent;butthelaughingmistofthebridewentalongwithhimundiminished。
Andnobridegroomhadarrived！Itwasintolerableforher。Ursula，herheartstrainedwithanxiety，waswatchingthehillbeyond;thewhite，descendingroad，thatshouldgivesightofhim。Therewasacarriage。Itwasrunning。
Ithadjustcomeintosight。Yes，itwashe。Ursulaturnedtowardsthebrideandthepeople，and，fromherplaceofvantage，gaveaninarticulatecry。Shewantedtowarnthemthathewascoming。Buthercrywasinarticulateandinaudible，andsheflusheddeeply，betweenherdesireandherwincingconfusion。
Thecarriagerattleddownthehill，anddrewnear。Therewasashoutfromthepeople。Thebride，whohadjustreachedthetopofthesteps，turnedroundgailytoseewhatwasthecommotion。Shesawaconfusionamongthepeople，acabpullingup，andherloverdroppingoutofthecarriage，anddodgingamongthehorsesandintothecrowd。
`Tibs！Tibs！"shecriedinhersudden，mockingexcitement，standinghighonthepathinthesunlightandwavingherbouquet。He，dodgingwithhishatinhishand，hadnotheard。
`Tibs！"shecriedagain，lookingdowntohim。
Heglancedup，unaware，andsawthebrideandherfatherstandingonthepathabovehim。Aqueer，startledlookwentoverhisface。Hehesitatedforamoment。Thenhegatheredhimselftogetherforaleap，toovertakeher。
`Ah—h—h！"cameherstrange，intakencry，as，onthereflex，shestarted，turnedandfled，scuddingwithanunthinkableswiftbeatingofherwhitefeetandfrayingofherwhitegarments，towardsthechurch。Likeahoundtheyoungmanwasafterher，leapingthestepsandswingingpastherfather，hissupplehaunchesworkinglikethoseofahoundthatbearsdownonthequarry。
`Ay，afterher！"criedthevulgarwomenbelow，carriedsuddenlyintothesport。
She，herflowersshakenfromherlikefroth，wassteadyingherselftoturntheangleofthechurch。Sheglancedbehind，andwithawildcryoflaughterandchallenge，veered，poised，andwasgonebeyondthegreystonebuttress。Inanotherinstantthebridegroom，bentforwardasheran，hadcaughttheangleofthesilentstonewithhishand，andhadswunghimselfoutofsight，hissupple，strongloinsvanishinginpursuit。
Instantlycriesandexclamationsofexcitementburstfromthecrowdatthegate。AndthenUrsulanoticedagainthedark，ratherstoopingfigureofMrCrich，waitingsuspendedonthepath，watchingwithexpressionlessfacetheflighttothechurch。Itwasover，andheturnedroundtolookbehindhim，atthefigureofRupertBirkin，whoatoncecameforwardandjoinedhim。
`We"llbringuptherear，"saidBirkin，afaintsmileonhisface。
`Ay！"repliedthefatherlaconically。Andthetwomenturnedtogetherupthepath。
BirkinwasasthinasMrCrich，paleandill—looking。Hisfigurewasnarrowbutnicelymade。Hewentwithaslighttrailofonefoot，whichcameonlyfromself—consciousness。Althoughhewasdressedcorrectlyforhispart，yettherewasaninnateincongruitywhichcausedaslightridiculousnessinhisappearance。Hisnaturewascleverandseparate，hedidnotfitatallintheconventionaloccasion。Yethesubordinatedhimselftothecommonidea，travestiedhimself。
Heaffectedtobequiteordinary，perfectlyandmarvellouslycommonplace。
Andhediditsowell，takingthetoneofhissurroundings，adjustinghimselfquicklytohisinterlocutorandhiscircumstance，thatheachievedaverisimilitudeofordinarycommonplacenessthatusuallypropitiatedhisonlookersforthemoment，disarmedthemfromattackinghissingleness。
NowhespokequiteeasilyandpleasantlytoMrCrich，astheywalkedalongthepath;heplayedwithsituationslikeamanonatight—rope:butalwaysonatight—rope，pretendingnothingbutease。
`I"msorrywearesolate，"hewassaying。`Wecouldn"tfindabutton—hook，soittookusalongtimetobuttonourboots。Butyouweretothemoment。"
`Weareusuallytotime，"saidMrCrich。
`AndI"malwayslate，"saidBirkin。`ButtodayIwasreallypunctual，onlyaccidentallynotso。I"msorry。"
Thetwomenweregone，therewasnothingmoretosee，forthetime。
UrsulawasleftthinkingaboutBirkin。Hepiquedher，attractedher，andannoyedher。
Shewantedtoknowhimmore。Shehadspokenwithhimonceortwice，butonlyinhisofficialcapacityasinspector。Shethoughtheseemedtoacknowledgesomekinshipbetweenherandhim，anatural，tacitunderstanding，ausingofthesamelanguage。Buttherehadbeennotimefortheunderstandingtodevelop。Andsomethingkeptherfromhim，aswellasattractedhertohim。Therewasacertainhostility，ahiddenultimatereserveinhim，coldandinaccessible。
Yetshewantedtoknowhim。
`WhatdoyouthinkofRupertBirkin？"sheasked，alittlereluctantly，ofGudrun。Shedidnotwanttodiscusshim。
`WhatdoIthinkofRupertBirkin？"repeatedGudrun。`Ithinkhe"sattractive——decidedlyattractive。WhatIcan"tstandabouthimishiswaywithotherpeople——hiswayoftreatinganylittlefoolasifshewerehisgreatestconsideration。Onefeelssoawfullysold，oneself。"
`Whydoeshedoit？"saidUrsula。
`Becausehehasnorealcriticalfaculty——ofpeople，atallevents，"
saidGudrun。`Itellyou，hetreatsanylittlefoolashetreatsmeoryou——andit"ssuchaninsult。"
`Oh，itis，"saidUrsula。`Onemustdiscriminate。"
`Onemustdiscriminate，"repeatedGudrun。`Buthe"sawonderfulchap，inotherrespects——amarvellouspersonality。Butyoucan"ttrusthim。"
`Yes，"saidUrsulavaguely。ShewasalwaysforcedtoassenttoGudrun"spronouncements，evenwhenshewasnotinaccordaltogether。
Thesisterssatsilent，waitingfortheweddingpartytocomeout。Gudrunwasimpatientoftalk。ShewantedtothinkaboutGeraldCrich。Shewantedtoseeifthestrongfeelingshehadgotfromhimwasreal。Shewantedtohaveherselfready。
Insidethechurch，theweddingwasgoingon。HermioneRoddicewasthinkingonlyofBirkin。Hestoodnearher。Sheseemedtogravitatephysicallytowardshim。Shewantedtostandtouchinghim。Shecouldhardlybesurehewasnearher，ifshedidnottouchhim。Yetshestoodsubjectedthroughtheweddingservice。
Shehadsufferedsobitterlywhenhedidnotcome，thatstillshewasdazed。Stillshewasgnawedasbyaneuralgia，tormentedbyhispotentialabsencefromher。Shehadawaitedhiminafaintdeliriumofnervoustorture。
Asshestoodbearingherselfpensively，theraptlookonherface，thatseemedspiritual，liketheangels，butwhichcamefromtorture，gaveheracertainpoignancythattorehisheartwithpity。Hesawherbowedhead，herraptface，thefaceofanalmostdemoniacalecstatic。Feelinghimlooking，sheliftedherfaceandsoughthiseyes，herownbeautifulgreyeyesflaringhimagreatsignal。Butheavoidedherlook，shesankherheadintormentandshame，thegnawingatherheartgoingon。Andhetoowastorturedwithshame，andultimatedislike，andwithacutepityforher，becausehedidnotwanttomeethereyes，hedidnotwanttoreceiveherflareofrecognition。
Thebrideandbridegroomweremarried，thepartywentintothevestry。
HermionecrowdedinvoluntarilyupagainstBirkin，totouchhim。Andheenduredit。
Outside，GudrunandUrsulalistenedfortheirfather"splayingontheorgan。Hewouldenjoyplayingaweddingmarch。Nowthemarriedpairwerecoming！Thebellswereringing，makingtheairshake。Ursulawonderedifthetreesandtheflowerscouldfeelthevibration，andwhattheythoughtofit，thisstrangemotionintheair。Thebridewasquitedemureonthearmofthebridegroom，whostaredupintotheskybeforehim，shuttingandopeninghiseyesunconsciously，asifhewereneitherherenorthere。
Helookedrathercomical，blinkingandtryingtobeinthescene，whenemotionallyhewasviolatedbyhisexposuretoacrowd。Helookedatypicalnavalofficer，manly，anduptohisduty。
BirkincamewithHermione。Shehadarapt，triumphantlook，likethefallenangelsrestored，yetstillsubtlydemoniacal，nowsheheldBirkinbythearm。Andhewasexpressionless，neutralised，possessedbyherasifitwerehisfate，withoutquestion。
GeraldCrichcame，fair，good—looking，healthy，withagreatreserveofenergy。Hewaserectandcomplete，therewasastrangestealthglisteningthroughhisamiable，almosthappyappearance。Gudrunrosesharplyandwentaway。Shecouldnotbearit。Shewantedtobealone，toknowthisstrange，sharpinoculationthathadchangedthewholetemperofherblood。
WomenInLove:Chapter2CHAPTERIIShortlandsTHEBRANGWENSwenthometoBeldover，thewedding—partygatheredatShortlands，theCriches"home。
Itwasalong，lowoldhouse，asortofmanorfarm，thatspreadalongthetopofaslopejustbeyondthenarrowlittlelakeofWilleyWater。Shortlandslookedacrossaslopingmeadowthatmightbeapark，becauseofthelarge，solitarytreesthatstoodhereandthere，acrossthewaterofthenarrowlake，atthewoodedhillthatsuccessfullyhidthecollieryvalleybeyond，butdidnotquitehidetherisingsmoke。Nevertheless，thescenewasruralandpicturesque，verypeaceful，andthehousehadacharmofitsown。
Itwascrowdednowwiththefamilyandtheweddingguests。Thefather，whowasnotwell，withdrewtorest。Geraldwashost。Hestoodinthehomelyentrancehall，friendlyandeasy，attendingtothemen。Heseemedtotakepleasureinhissocialfunctions，hesmiled，andwasabundantinhospitality。
Thewomenwanderedaboutinalittleconfusion，chasedhitherandthitherbythethreemarrieddaughtersofthehouse。Allthewhiletherecouldbeheardthecharacteristic，imperiousvoiceofoneCrichwomanoranothercalling`Helen，comehereaminute，"`Marjory，Iwantyou——here。"`Oh，Isay，MrsWitham——。"Therewasagreatrustlingofskirts，swiftglimpsesofsmartly—dressedwomen，achilddancedthroughthehallandbackagain，amaidservantcameandwenthurriedly。
Meanwhilethemenstoodincalmlittlegroups，chatting，smoking，pretendingtopaynoheedtotherustlinganimationofthewomen"sworld。Buttheycouldnotreallytalk，becauseoftheglassyravelofwomen"sexcited，coldlaughterandrunningvoices。Theywaited，uneasy，suspended，ratherbored。ButGeraldremainedasifgenialandhappy，unawarethathewaswaitingorunoccupied，knowinghimselftheverypivotoftheoccasion。
SuddenlyMrsCrichcamenoiselesslyintotheroom，peeringaboutwithherstrong，clearface。Shewasstillwearingherhat，andhersaccoatofbluesilk。
`Whatisit，mother？"saidGerald。
`Nothing，nothing！"sheansweredvaguely。AndshewentstraighttowardsBirkin，whowastalkingtoaCrichbrother—in—law。
`Howdoyoudo，MrBirkin，"shesaid，inherlowvoice，thatseemedtotakenocountofherguests。Sheheldoutherhandtohim。
`OhMrsCrich，"repliedBirkin，inhisreadily—changingvoice，`Icouldn"tcometoyoubefore。"
`Idon"tknowhalfthepeoplehere，"shesaid，inherlowvoice。Herson—in—lawmoveduneasilyaway。
`Andyoudon"tlikestrangers？"laughedBirkin。`Imyselfcanneverseewhyoneshouldtakeaccountofpeople，justbecausetheyhappentobeintheroomwithone:whyshouldIknowtheyarethere？"
`Whyindeed，whyindeed！"saidMrsCrich，inherlow，tensevoice。`Exceptthattheyarethere。Idon"tknowpeoplewhomIfindinthehouse。Thechildrenintroducethemtome——"Mother，thisisMrSo—and—so。"
Iamnofurther。WhathasMrSo—and—sotodowithhisownname？——andwhathaveItodowitheitherhimorhisname？"
ShelookedupatBirkin。Shestartledhim。Hewasflatteredtoothatshecametotalktohim，forshetookhardlyanynoticeofanybody。Helookeddownathertenseclearface，withitsheavyfeatures，buthewasafraidtolookintoherheavy—seeingblueeyes。Henoticedinsteadhowherhairloopedinslack，slovenlystrandsoverherratherbeautifulears，whichwerenotquiteclean。Neitherwasherneckperfectlyclean。Eveninthatheseemedtobelongtoher，ratherthantotherestofthecompany;
though，hethoughttohimself，hewasalwayswellwashed，atanyrateattheneckandears。
Hesmiledfaintly，thinkingthesethings。Yethewastense，feelingthatheandtheelderly，estrangedwomanwereconferringtogetherliketraitors，likeenemieswithinthecampoftheotherpeople。Heresembledadeer，thatthrowsoneearbackuponthetrailbehind，andoneearforward，toknowwhatisahead。
`Peopledon"treallymatter，"hesaid，ratherunwillingtocontinue。
Themotherlookedupathimwithsudden，darkinterrogation，asifdoubtinghissincerity。
`Howdoyoumean，matter？"sheaskedsharply。
`Notmanypeopleareanythingatall，"heanswered，forcedtogodeeperthanhewantedto。`Theyjingleandgiggle。Itwouldbemuchbetteriftheywerejustwipedout。Essentially，theydon"texist，theyaren"tthere。"
Shewatchedhimsteadilywhilehespoke。
`Butwedidn"timaginethem，"shesaidsharply。
`There"snothingtoimagine，that"swhytheydon"texist。"
`Well，"shesaid，`Iwouldhardlygoasfarasthat。Theretheyare，whethertheyexistorno。Itdoesn"trestwithmetodecideontheirexistence。
IonlyknowthatIcan"tbeexpectedtotakecountofthemall。Youcan"texpectmetoknowthem，justbecausetheyhappentobethere。AsfarasIgotheymightaswellnotbethere。"
`Exactly，"hereplied。
`Mightn"tthey？"sheaskedagain。
`Justaswell，"herepeated。Andtherewasalittlepause。
`Exceptthattheyarethere，andthat"sanuisance，"shesaid。
`Therearemysons—in—law，"shewenton，inasortofmonologue。`NowLaura"sgotmarried，there"sanother。AndIreallydon"tknowJohnfromJamesyet。
Theycomeuptomeandcallmemother。Iknowwhattheywillsay——"howareyou，mother？"Ioughttosay，"Iamnotyourmother，inanysense。"
Butwhatistheuse？Theretheyare。Ihavehadchildrenofmyown。IsupposeIknowthemfromanotherwoman"schildren。"
`Onewouldsupposeso，"hesaid。
Shelookedathim，somewhatsurprised，forgettingperhapsthatshewastalkingtohim。Andshelostherthread。
Shelookedroundtheroom，vaguely。Birkincouldnotguesswhatshewaslookingfor，norwhatshewasthinking。Evidentlyshenoticedhersons。
`Aremychildrenallthere？"sheaskedhimabruptly。
Helaughed，startled，afraidperhaps。
`Iscarcelyknowthem，exceptGerald，"hereplied。
`Gerald！"sheexclaimed。`He"sthemostwantingofthemall。You"dneverthinkit，tolookathimnow，wouldyou？"
`No，"saidBirkin。
Themotherlookedacrossathereldestson，staredathimheavilyforsometime。
`Ay，"shesaid，inanincomprehensiblemonosyllable，thatsoundedprofoundlycynical。Birkinfeltafraid，asifhedarednotrealise。AndMrsCrichmovedaway，forgettinghim。Butshereturnedonhertraces。
`Ishouldlikehimtohaveafriend，"shesaid。`Hehasneverhadafriend。"
Birkinlookeddownintohereyes，whichwereblue，andwatchingheavily。
Hecouldnotunderstandthem。`AmImybrother"skeeper？"hesaidtohimself，almostflippantly。
Thenheremembered，withaslightshock，thatthatwasCain"scry。AndGeraldwasCain，ifanybody。NotthathewasCain，either，althoughhehadslainhisbrother。Therewassuchathingaspureaccident，andtheconsequencesdidnotattachtoone，eventhoughonehadkilledone"sbrotherinsuchwise。Geraldasaboyhadaccidentallykilledhisbrother。Whatthen？Whyseektodrawabrandandacurseacrossthelifethathadcausedtheaccident？Amancanlivebyaccident，anddiebyaccident。Orcanhenot？Iseveryman"slifesubjecttopureaccident，isitonlytherace，thegenus，thespecies，thathasauniversalreference？Oristhisnottrue，istherenosuchthingaspureaccident？Haseverythingthathappensauniversalsignificance？Hasit？Birkin，ponderingashestoodthere，hadforgottenMrsCrich，asshehadforgottenhim。
Hedidnotbelievethattherewasanysuchthingasaccident。Itallhungtogether，inthedeepestsense。
Justashehaddecidedthis，oneoftheCrichdaughterscameup，saying:
`Won"tyoucomeandtakeyourhatoff，motherdear？Weshallbesittingdowntoeatinaminute，andit"saformaloccasion，darling，isn"tit？"
Shedrewherarmthroughhermother"s，andtheywentaway。Birkinimmediatelywenttotalktothenearestman。
Thegongsoundedfortheluncheon。Themenlookedup，butnomovewasmadetothedining—room。Thewomenofthehouseseemednottofeelthatthesoundhadmeaningforthem。Fiveminutespassedby。Theelderlymanservant，Crowther，appearedinthedoorwayexasperatedly。HelookedwithappealatGerald。Thelattertookupalarge，curvedconchshell，thatlayonashelf，andwithoutreferencetoanybody，blewashatteringblast。Itwasastrangerousingnoise，thatmadetheheartbeat。Thesummonswasalmostmagical。Everybodycamerunning，asifatasignal。Andthenthecrowdinoneimpulsemovedtothedining—room。
Geraldwaitedamoment，forhissistertoplayhostess。Heknewhismotherwouldpaynoattentiontoherduties。Buthissistermerelycrowdedtoherseat。Thereforetheyoungman，slightlytoodictatorial，directedthegueststotheirplaces。
Therewasamoment"slull，aseverybodylookedattheborsd"oeuvresthatwerebeinghandedround。Andoutofthislull，agirlofthirteenorfourteen，withherlonghairdownherback，saidinacalm，self—possessedvoice:
`Gerald，youforgetfather，whenyoumakethatunearthlynoise。"
`DoI？"heanswered。Andthen，tothecompany，`Fatherislyingdown，heisnotquitewell。"
`Howishe，really？"calledoneofthemarrieddaughters，peepingroundtheimmenseweddingcakethattoweredupinthemiddleofthetablesheddingitsartificialflowers。
`Hehasnopain，buthefeelstired，"repliedWinifred，thegirlwiththehairdownherback。
Thewinewasfilled，andeverybodywastalkingboisterously。Atthefarendofthetablesatthemother，withherloosely—loopedhair。ShehadBirkinforaneighbour。Sometimessheglancedfiercelydowntherowsoffaces，bendingforwardsandstaringunceremoniously。AndshewouldsayinalowvoicetoBirkin:
`Whoisthatyoungman？"
`Idon"tknow，"Birkinanswereddiscreetly。
`HaveIseenhimbefore？"sheasked。
`Idon"tthinkso。Ihaven"t，"hereplied。Andshewassatisfied。
Hereyesclosedwearily，apeacecameoverherface，shelookedlikeaqueeninrepose。Thenshestarted，alittlesocialsmilecameonherface，foramomentshelookedthepleasanthostess。Foramomentshebentgraciously，asifeveryonewerewelcomeanddelightful。Andthenimmediatelytheshadowcameback，asullen，eaglelookwasonherface，sheglancedfromunderherbrowslikeasinistercreatureatbay，hatingthemall。
`Mother，"calledDiana，ahandsomegirlalittleolderthanWinifred，`Imayhavewine，mayn"tI？"
`Yes，youmayhavewine，"repliedthemotherautomatically，forshewasperfectlyindifferenttothequestion。
AndDianabeckonedtothefootmantofillherglass。
`Geraldshouldn"tforbidme，"shesaidcalmly，tothecompanyatlarge。
`Allright，Di，"saidherbrotheramiably。Andsheglancedchallengeathimasshedrankfromherglass。
Therewasastrangefreedom，thatalmostamountedtoanarchy，inthehouse。Itwasratheraresistancetoauthority，thanliberty。Geraldhadsomecommand，bymereforceofpersonality，notbecauseofanygrantedposition。Therewasaqualityinhisvoice，amiablebutdominant，thatcowedtheothers，whowereallyoungerthanhe。
Hermionewashavingadiscussionwiththebridegroomaboutnationality。
`No，"shesaid，`Ithinkthattheappealtopatriotismisamistake。
Itislikeonehouseofbusinessrivallinganotherhouseofbusiness。"
`Wellyoucanhardlysaythat，canyou？"exclaimedGerald，whohadarealpassionfordiscussion。`Youcouldn"tcallaraceabusinessconcern，couldyou？——andnationalityroughlycorrespondstorace，Ithink。
Ithinkitismeantto。"
Therewasamoment"spause。GeraldandHermionewerealwaysstrangelybutpolitelyandevenlyinimical。
`Doyouthinkracecorrespondswithnationality？"sheaskedmusingly，withexpressionlessindecision。
Birkinknewshewaswaitingforhimtoparticipate。Anddutifullyhespokeup。
`IthinkGeraldisright——raceistheessentialelementinnationality，inEuropeatleast，"hesaid。
AgainHermionepaused，asiftoallowthisstatementtocool。Thenshesaidwithstrangeassumptionofauthority:
`Yes，butevenso，isthepatrioticappealanappealtotheracialinstinct？
Isitnotratheranappealtotheproprietoryinstinct，thecommercialinstinct？Andisn"tthiswhatwemeanbynationality？"
`Probably，"saidBirkin，whofeltthatsuchadiscussionwasoutofplaceandoutoftime。
ButGeraldwasnowonthescentofargument。
`Aracemayhaveitscommercialaspect，"hesaid。`Infactitmust。
Itislikeafamily。Youmustmakeprovision。Andtomakeprovisionyouhavegottostriveagainstotherfamilies，othernations。Idon"tseewhyyoushouldn"t。"
AgainHermionemadeapause，domineeringandcold，beforeshereplied:
`Yes，Ithinkitisalwayswrongtoprovokeaspiritofrivalry。Itmakesbadblood。Andbadbloodaccumulates。"
`Butyoucan"tdoawaywiththespiritofemulationaltogether？"saidGerald。`Itisoneofthenecessaryincentivestoproductionandimprovement。"
`Yes，"cameHermione"ssaunteringresponse。`Ithinkyoucandoawaywithit。"
`Imustsay，"saidBirkin，`Idetestthespiritofemulation。"Hermionewasbitingapieceofbread，pullingitfrombetweenherteethwithherfingers，inaslow，slightlyderisivemovement。SheturnedtoBirkin。
`Youdohateit，yes，"shesaid，intimateandgratified。
`Detestit，"herepeated。
`Yes，"shemurmured，assuredandsatisfied。
`But，"Geraldinsisted，`youdon"tallowonemantotakeawayhisneighbour"sliving，sowhyshouldyouallowonenationtotakeawaythelivingfromanothernation？"
TherewasalongslowmurmurfromHermionebeforeshebrokeintospeech，sayingwithalaconicindifference:
`Itisnotalwaysaquestionofpossessions，isit？Itisnotallaquestionofgoods？"
Geraldwasnettledbythisimplicationofvulgarmaterialism。
`Yes，moreorless，"heretorted。`IfIgoandtakeaman"shatfromoffhishead，thathatbecomesasymbolofthatman"sliberty。Whenhefightsmeforhishat，heisfightingmeforhisliberty。"
Hermionewasnonplussed。
`Yes，"shesaid，irritated。`Butthatwayofarguingbyimaginaryinstancesisnotsupposedtobegenuine，isit？Amandoesnotcomeandtakemyhatfromoffmyhead，doeshe？"
`Onlybecausethelawpreventshim，"saidGerald。
`Notonly，"saidBirkin。`Ninety—ninemenoutofahundreddon"twantmyhat。"
`That"samatterofopinion，"saidGerald。
`Orthehat，"laughedthebridegroom。
`Andifhedoeswantmyhat，suchasitis，"saidBirkin，`why，surelyitisopentometodecide，whichisagreaterlosstome，myhat，ormylibertyasafreeandindifferentman。IfIamcompelledtoofferfight，Ilosethelatter。Itisaquestionwhichisworthmoretome，mypleasantlibertyofconduct，ormyhat。"
`Yes，"saidHermione，watchingBirkinstrangely。`Yes。"
`Butwouldyouletsomebodycomeandsnatchyourhatoffyourhead？"
thebrideaskedofHermione。
Thefaceofthetallstraightwomanturnedslowlyandasifdruggedtothisnewspeaker。
`No，"shereplied，inalowinhumantone，thatseemedtocontainachuckle。
`No，Ishouldn"tletanybodytakemyhatoffmyhead。"
`Howwouldyoupreventit？"askedGerald。
`Idon"tknow，"repliedHermioneslowly。`ProbablyIshouldkillhim。"
Therewasastrangechuckleinhertone，adangerousandconvincinghumourinherbearing。
`Ofcourse，"saidGerald，`IcanseeRupert"spoint。Itisaquestiontohimwhetherhishatorhispeaceofmindismoreimportant。"
`Peaceofbody，"saidBirkin。
`Well，asyoulikethere，"repliedGerald。`Buthowareyougoingtodecidethisforanation？"
`Heavenpreserveme，"laughedBirkin。
`Yes，butsupposeyouhaveto？"Geraldpersisted。
`Thenitisthesame。Ifthenationalcrown—pieceisanoldhat，thenthethievinggentmayhaveit。"
`Butcanthenationalorracialhatbeanoldhat？"insistedGerald。
`Prettywellboundtobe，Ibelieve，"saidBirkin。
`I"mnotsosure，"saidGerald。
`Idon"tagree，Rupert，"saidHermione。
`Allright，"saidBirkin。
`I"mallfortheoldnationalhat，"laughedGerald。
`Andafoolyoulookinit，"criedDiana，hispertsisterwhowasjustinherteens。
`Oh，we"requiteoutofourdepthswiththeseoldhats，"criedLauraCrich。`Dryupnow，Gerald。We"regoingtodrinktoasts。Letusdrinktoasts。
Toasts——glasses，glasses——nowthen，toasts！Speech！Speech！"
Birkin，thinkingaboutraceornationaldeath，watchedhisglassbeingfilledwithchampagne。Thebubblesbrokeattherim，themanwithdrew，andfeelingasuddenthirstatthesightofthefreshwine，Birkindrankuphisglass。Aqueerlittletensionintheroomrousedhim。Hefeltasharpconstraint。
`DidIdoitbyaccident，oronpurpose？"heaskedhimself。Andhedecidedthat，accordingtothevulgarphrase，hehaddoneit`accidentallyonpurpose。"
Helookedroundatthehiredfootman。Andthehiredfootmancame，withasilentstepofcoldservant—likedisapprobation。Birkindecidedthathedetestedtoasts，andfootmen，andassemblies，andmankindaltogether，inmostofitsaspects。Thenherosetomakeaspeech。Buthewassomehowdisgusted。
Atlengthitwasover，themeal。Severalmenstrolledoutintothegarden。
Therewasalawn，andflower—beds，andattheboundaryanironfenceshuttingoffthelittlefieldorpark。Theviewwaspleasant;ahighroadcurvingroundtheedgeofalowlake，underthetrees。Inthespringair，thewatergleamedandtheoppositewoodswerepurplishwithnewlife。CharmingJerseycattlecametothefence，breathinghoarselyfromtheirvelvetmuzzlesatthehumanbeings，expectingperhapsacrust。
Birkinleanedonthefence。Acowwasbreathingwethotnessonhishand。
`Prettycattle，verypretty，"saidMarshall，oneofthebrothers—in—law。
`Theygivethebestmilkyoucanhave。"
`Yes，"saidBirkin。
`Eh，mylittlebeauty，eh，mybeauty！"saidMarshall，inaqueerhighfalsettovoice，thatcausedtheothermantohaveconvulsionsoflaughterinhisstomach。
`Whowontherace，Lupton？"hecalledtothebridegroom，tohidethefactthathewaslaughing。
Thebridegroomtookhiscigarfromhismouth。
`Therace？"heexclaimed。Thenaratherthinsmilecameoverhisface。
Hedidnotwanttosayanythingabouttheflighttothechurchdoor。`Wegottheretogether。Atleastshetouchedfirst，butIhadmyhandonhershoulder。"
`What"sthis？"askedGerald。
Birkintoldhimabouttheraceofthebrideandthebridegroom。
`H"m！"saidGerald，indisapproval。`Whatmadeyoulatethen？"
`Luptonwouldtalkabouttheimmortalityofthesoul，"saidBirkin，`andthenhehadn"tgotabutton—hook。"
`OhGod！"criedMarshall。`Theimmortalityofthesoulonyourweddingday！Hadn"tyougotanythingbettertooccupyyourmind？"
`What"swrongwithit？"askedthebridegroom，aclean—shavennavalman，flushingsensitively。
`Soundsasifyouweregoingtobeexecutedinsteadofmarried。Theimmortalityofthesoul！"repeatedthebrother—in—law，withmostkillingemphasis。
Buthefellquiteflat。