第13章

`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。