第19章

`Wehavealwaysallowedallwidowsofmenwhoworkedforthefirmaloadofcoalseverythreemonths。"

`Theymustpaycostpricehenceforward。Thefirmisnotacharityinstitution，aseverybodyseemstothink。"

Widows，thesestockfiguresofsentimentalhumanitarianism，hefeltadislikeatthethoughtofthem。Theywerealmostrepulsive。Whyweretheynotimmolatedonthepyreofthehusband，likethesatiinIndia？

Atanyrate，letthempaythecostoftheircoals。

Inathousandwayshecutdowntheexpenditure，inwayssofineastobehardlynoticeabletothemen。Theminersmustpayforthecartageoftheircoals，heavycartagetoo;theymustpayfortheirtools，forthesharpening，forthecareoflamps，forthemanytriflingthingsthatmadethebillofchargesagainsteverymanmountuptoashillingorsointheweek。Itwasnotgraspedverydefinitelybytheminers，thoughtheyweresoreenough。Butitsavedhundredsofpoundseveryweekforthefirm。

GraduallyGeraldgotholdofeverything。Andthenbeganthegreatreform。

Expertengineerswereintroducedineverydepartment。Anenormouselectricplantwasinstalled，bothforlightingandforhaulageunderground，andforpower。Theelectricitywascarriedintoeverymine。NewmachinerywasbroughtfromAmerica，suchastheminershadneverseenbefore，greatironmen，asthecuttingmachineswerecalled，andunusualappliances。Theworkingofthepitswasthoroughlychanged，allthecontrolwastakenoutofthehandsoftheminers，thebuttysystemwasabolished。Everythingwasrunonthemostaccurateanddelicatescientificmethod，educatedandexpertmenwereincontroleverywhere，theminerswerereducedtomeremechanicalinstruments。Theyhadtoworkhard，muchharderthanbefore，theworkwasterribleandheart—breakinginitsmechanicalness。

Buttheysubmittedtoitall。Thejoywentoutoftheirlives，thehopeseemedtoperishastheybecamemoreandmoremechanised。Andyettheyacceptedthenewconditions。Theyevengotafurthersatisfactionoutofthem。AtfirsttheyhatedGeraldCrich，theysworetodosomethingtohim，tomurderhim。Butastimewenton，theyacceptedeverythingwithsomefatalsatisfaction。Geraldwastheirhighpriest，herepresentedthereligiontheyreallyfelt。Hisfatherwasforgottenalready。Therewasanewworld，aneworder，strict，terrible，inhuman，butsatisfyinginitsverydestructiveness。

Themenweresatisfiedtobelongtothegreatandwonderfulmachine，evenwhilstitdestroyedthem。Itwaswhattheywanted。Itwasthehighestthatmanhadproduced，themostwonderfulandsuperhuman。Theywereexaltedbybelongingtothisgreatandsuperhumansystemwhichwasbeyondfeelingorreason，somethingreallygodlike。Theirheartsdiedwithinthem，buttheirsoulsweresatisfied。Itwaswhattheywanted。OtherwiseGeraldcouldneverhavedonewhathedid。Hewasjustaheadofthemingivingthemwhattheywanted，thisparticipationinagreatandperfectsystemthatsubjectedlifetopuremathematicalprinciples。Thiswasasortoffreedom，thesorttheyreallywanted。Itwasthefirstgreatstepinundoing，thefirstgreatphaseofchaos，thesubstitutionofthemechanicalprinciplefortheorganic，thedestructionoftheorganicpurpose，theorganicunity，andthesubordinationofeveryorganicunittothegreatmechanicalpurpose。Itwaspureorganicdisintegrationandpuremechanicalorganisation。Thisisthefirstandfineststateofchaos。

Geraldwassatisfied。Heknewthecollierssaidtheyhatedhim。Buthehadlongceasedtohatethem。Whentheystreamedpasthimatevening，theirheavybootsslurringonthepavementwearily，theirshouldersslightlydistorted，theytooknonoticeofhim，theygavehimnogreetingwhatever，theypassedinagrey—blackstreamofunemotionalacceptance。Theywerenotimportanttohim，saveasinstruments，norhetothem，saveasasupremeinstrumentofcontrol。Asminerstheyhadtheirbeing，hehadhisbeingasdirector。Headmiredtheirqualities。Butasmen，personalities，theywerejustaccidents，sporadiclittleunimportantphenomena。Andtacitly，themenagreedtothis。ForGeraldagreedtoitinhimself。

Hehadsucceeded。Hehadconvertedtheindustryintoanewandterriblepurity。Therewasagreateroutputofcoalthanever，thewonderfulanddelicatesystemranalmostperfectly。Hehadasetofreallycleverengineers，bothminingandelectrical，andtheydidnotcostmuch。Ahighlyeducatedmancostverylittlemorethanaworkman。Hismanagers，whowereallraremen，werenomoreexpensivethantheoldbunglingfoolsofhisfather"sdays，whoweremerelycollierspromoted。Hischiefmanager，whohadtwelvehundredayear，savedthefirmatleastfivethousand。ThewholesystemwasnowsoperfectthatGeraldwashardlynecessaryanymore。

Itwassoperfectthatsometimesastrangefearcameoverhim，andhedidnotknowwhattodo。Hewentonforsomeyearsinasortoftranceofactivity。Whathewasdoingseemedsupreme，hewasalmostlikeadivinity。

Hewasapureandexaltedactivity。

Butnowhehadsucceeded——hehadfinallysucceeded。Andonceortwicelately，whenhewasaloneintheeveningandhadnothingtodo，hehadsuddenlystoodupinterror，notknowingwhathewas。Andhewenttothemirrorandlookedlongandcloselyathisownface，athisowneyes，seekingforsomething。Hewasafraid，inmortaldryfear，butheknewnotwhatof。Helookedathisownface。Thereitwas，shapelyandhealthyandthesameasever，yetsomehow，itwasnotreal，itwasamask。Hedarednottouchit，forfearitshouldprovetobeonlyacompositionmask。Hiseyeswereblueandkeenasever，andasfirmintheirsockets。Yethewasnotsurethattheywerenotbluefalsebubblesthatwouldburstinamomentandleaveclearannihilation。Hecouldseethedarknessinthem，asiftheywereonlybubblesofdarkness。Hewasafraidthatonedayhewouldbreakdownandbeapurelymeaninglessbabblelappingroundadarkness。

Buthiswillyetheldgood，hewasabletogoawayandread，andthinkaboutthings。Helikedtoreadbooksabouttheprimitiveman，booksofanthropology，andalsoworksofspeculativephilosophy。Hismindwasveryactive。Butitwaslikeabubblefloatinginthedarkness。Atanymomentitmightburstandleavehiminchaos。Hewouldnotdie。Heknewthat。

Hewouldgoonliving，butthemeaningwouldhavecollapsedoutofhim，hisdivinereasonwouldbegone。Inastrangelyindifferent，sterileway，hewasfrightened。Buthecouldnotreacteventothefear。Itwasasifhiscentresoffeelingweredryingup。Heremainedcalm，calculativeandhealthy，andquitefreelydeliberate，evenwhilsthefelt，withfaint，smallbutfinalsterilehorror，thathismysticreasonwasbreaking，givingwaynow，atthiscrisis。

Anditwasastrain。Heknewtherewasnoequilibrium。Hewouldhavetogoinsomedirection，shortly，tofindrelief。OnlyBirkinkeptthefeardefinitelyoffhim，savedhimhisquicksufficiencyinlife，bytheoddmobilityandchangeablenesswhichseemedtocontainthequintessenceoffaith。ButthenGeraldmustalwayscomeawayfromBirkin，asfromaChurchservice，backtotheoutsiderealworldofworkandlife。Thereitwas，itdidnotalter，andwordswerefutilities。Hehadtokeephimselfinreckoningwiththeworldofworkandmateriallife。Anditbecamemoreandmoredifficult，suchastrangepressurewasuponhim，asiftheverymiddleofhimwereavacuum，andoutsidewereanawfultension。

Hehadfoundhismostsatisfactoryreliefinwomen。Afteradebauchwithsomedesperatewoman，hewentonquiteeasyandforgetful。Thedevilofitwas，itwassohardtokeepuphisinterestinwomennowadays。Hedidn"tcareaboutthemanymore。APussumwasallrightinherway，butshewasanexceptionalcase，andevenshematteredextremelylittle。No，women，inthatsense，wereuselesstohimanymore。Hefeltthathismindneededacutestimulation，beforehecouldbephysicallyroused。

WomenInLove:Chapter18CHAPTERXVIIIRabbitGUDRUNKNEWthatitwasacriticalthingforhertogotoShortlands。SheknewitwasequivalenttoacceptingGeraldCrichasalover。Andthoughshehungback，dislikingthecondition，yetsheknewshewouldgoon。Sheequivocated。Shesaidtoherself，intormentrecallingtheblowandthekiss，`afterall，whatisit？Whatisakiss？

Whatevenisablow？Itisaninstant，vanishedatonce。IcangotoShortlandsjustforatime，beforeIgoaway，ifonlytoseewhatitislike。"Forshehadaninsatiablecuriositytoseeandtoknoweverything。

ShealsowantedtoknowwhatWinifredwasreallylike。Havingheardthechildcallingfromthesteamerinthenight，shefeltsomemysteriousconnectionwithher。

Gudruntalkedwiththefatherinthelibrary。Thenhesentforhisdaughter。

ShecameaccompaniedbyMademoiselle。

`Winnie，thisisMissBrangwen，whowillbesokindastohelpyouwithyourdrawingandmakingmodelsofyouranimals，"saidthefather。

ThechildlookedatGudrunforamomentwithinterest，beforeshecameforwardandwithfaceavertedofferedherhand。TherewasacompletesangfroidandindifferenceunderWinifred"schildishreserve，acertainirresponsiblecallousness。

`Howdoyoudo？"saidthechild，notliftingherface。

`Howdoyoudo？"saidGudrun。

ThenWinifredstoodaside，andGudrunwasintroducedtoMademoiselle。

`Youhaveafinedayforyourwalk，"saidMademoiselle，inabrightmanner。

`Quitefine，"saidGudrun。

Winifredwaswatchingfromherdistance。Shewasasifamused，butratherunsureasyetwhatthisnewpersonwaslike。Shesawsomanynewpersons，andsofewwhobecamerealtoher。Mademoisellewasofnocountwhatever，thechildmerelyputupwithher，calmlyandeasily，acceptingherlittleauthoritywithfaintscorn，compliantoutofchildisharroganceofindifference。

`Well，Winifred，"saidthefather，`aren"tyougladMissBrangwenhascome？Shemakesanimalsandbirdsinwoodandinclay，thatthepeopleinLondonwriteaboutinthepapers，praisingthemtotheskies。"

Winifredsmiledslightly。

`Whotoldyou，Daddie？"sheasked。

`Whotoldme？Hermionetoldme，andRupertBirkin。"

`Doyouknowthem？"WinifredaskedofGudrun，turningtoherwithfaintchallenge。

`Yes，"saidGudrun。

Winifredreadjustedherselfalittle。ShehadbeenreadytoacceptGudrunasasortofservant。Nowshesawitwasontermsoffriendshiptheywereintendedtomeet。Shewasratherglad。Shehadsomanyhalfinferiors，whomshetoleratedwithperfectgood—humour。

Gudrunwasverycalm。Shealsodidnottakethesethingsveryseriously。

Anewoccasionwasmostlyspectaculartoher。However，Winifredwasadetached，ironicchild，shewouldneverattachherself。Gudrunlikedherandwasintriguedbyher。Thefirstmeetingswentoffwithacertainhumiliatingclumsiness。NeitherWinifrednorherinstructresshadanysocialgrace。

Soon，however，theymetinakindofmake—beliefworld。Winifreddidnotnoticehumanbeingsunlesstheywerelikeherself，playfulandslightlymocking。Shewouldacceptnothingbuttheworldofamusement，andtheseriouspeopleofherlifeweretheanimalsshehadforpets。Onthoseshelavished，almostironically，heraffectionandhercompanionship。Totherestofthehumanschemeshesubmittedwithafaintboredindifference。

ShehadapekinesedogcalledLooloo，whichsheloved。

`LetusdrawLooloo，"saidGudrun，`andseeifwecangethisLooliness，shallwe？"

`Darling！"criedWinifred，rushingtothedog，thatsatwithcontemplativesadnessonthehearth，andkissingitsbulgingbrow。`Darlingone，willyoubedrawn？Shallitsmummydrawitsportrait？"Thenshechuckledgleefully，andturningtoGudrun，said:`Ohlet"s！"

Theyproceededtogetpencilsandpaper，andwereready。

`Beautifullest，"criedWinifred，huggingthedog，`sitstillwhileitsmummydrawsitsbeautifulportrait。"Thedoglookedupatherwithgrievousresignationinitslarge，prominenteyes。Shekisseditfervently，andsaid:`Iwonderwhatminewillbelike。It"ssuretobeawful。"

Asshesketchedshechuckledtoherself，andcriedoutattimes:

`Ohdarling，you"resobeautiful！"

Andagainchuckling，sherushedtoembracethedog，inpenitence，asifsheweredoinghimsomesubtleinjury。Hesatallthetimewiththeresignationandfretfulnessofagesonhisdarkvelvetyface。Shedrewslowly，withawickedconcentrationinhereyes，herheadononeside，anintensestillnessoverher。Shewasasifworkingthespellofsomeenchantment。Suddenlyshehadfinished。Shelookedatthedog，andthenatherdrawing，andthencried，withrealgriefforthedog，andatthesametimewithawickedexultation:

`Mybeautiful，whydidthey？"

Shetookherpapertothedog，andhelditunderhisnose。Heturnedhisheadasideasinchagrinandmortification，andsheimpulsivelykissedhisvelvetybulgingforehead。

`"saLoolie，"salittleLoozie！Lookathisportrait，darling，lookathisportrait，thathismotherhasdoneofhim。"Shelookedatherpaperandchuckled。Then，kissingthedogoncemore，sheroseandcamegravelytoGudrun，offeringherthepaper。

Itwasagrotesquelittlediagramofagrotesquelittleanimal，sowickedandsocomical，aslowsmilecameoverGudrun"sface，unconsciously。AndathersideWinifredchuckledwithglee，andsaid:

`Itisn"tlikehim，isit？He"smuchlovelierthanthat。He"ssobeautiful——mmm，Looloo，mysweetdarling。"Andsheflewofftoembracethechagrinedlittledog。Helookedupatherwithreproachful，saturnineeyes，vanquishedinhisextremeagednessofbeing。Thensheflewbacktoherdrawing，andchuckledwithsatisfaction。

`Itisn"tlikehim，isit？"shesaidtoGudrun。

`Yes，it"sverylikehim，"Gudrunreplied。

Thechildtreasuredherdrawing，carrieditaboutwithher，andshowedit，withasilentembarrassment，toeverybody。

`Look，"shesaid，thrustingthepaperintoherfather"shand。

`Whythat"sLooloo！"heexclaimed。Andhelookeddowninsurprise，hearingthealmostinhumanchuckleofthechildathisside。

GeraldwasawayfromhomewhenGudrunfirstcametoShortlands。Butthefirstmorninghecamebackhewatchedforher。Itwasasunny，softmorning，andhelingeredinthegardenpaths，lookingattheflowersthathadcomeoutduringhisabsence。Hewascleanandfitasever，shaven，hisfairhairscrupulouslypartedattheside，brightinthesunshine，hisshort，fairmoustachecloselyclipped，hiseyeswiththeirhumorouskindtwinkle，whichwassodeceptive。Hewasdressedinblack，hisclothessatwellonhiswell—nourishedbody。Yetashelingeredbeforetheflower—bedsinthemorningsunshine，therewasacertainisolation，afearabouthim，asofsomethingwanting。

Gudruncameupquickly，unseen。Shewasdressedinblue，withwoollenyellowstockings，liketheBluecoatboys。Heglancedupinsurprise。Herstockingsalwaysdisconcertedhim，thepale—yellowstockingsandtheheavyheavyblackshoes。Winifred，whohadbeenplayingaboutthegardenwithMademoiselleandthedogs，cameflittingtowardsGudrun。Thechildworeadressofblack—and—whitestripes。Herhairwasrathershort，cutroundandhanginglevelinherneck。

`We"regoingtodoBismarck，aren"twe？"shesaid，linkingherhandthroughGudrun"sarm。

`Yes，we"regoingtodoBismarck。Doyouwantto？"

`Ohyes——ohIdo！IwantmostawfullytodoBismarck。Helookssosplendidthismorning，sofierce。He"salmostasbigasalion。"

Andthechildchuckledsardonicallyatherownhyperbole。`He"sarealking，hereallyis。"

`Bonjour，Mademoiselle，"saidthelittleFrenchgoverness，waveringupwithaslightbow，abowofthesortthatGudrunloathed，insolent。

`WinifredveuttantfaireleportraitdeBismarck——！Oh，maistoutelamatinee——"WewilldoBismarckthismorning！"——Bismarck，Bismarck，toujoursBismarck！C"estunlapin，n"est—cepas，mademoiselle？"

`Oui，c"estungrandlapinblancetnoir。Vousnel"avezpasvu？"saidGudruninhergood，butratherheavyFrench。

`Non，mademoiselle，Winifredn"ajamaisvoulumelefairevoir。Tantdefoisjeleluiaidemande，"Qu"estcedoncqueceBismarck，Winifred？"

Maisellen"apasvoulumeledire。SonBismarck，c"etaitunmystere。"

`Oui，c"estunmystere，vraimentunmystere！MissBrangwen，saythatBismarckisamystery，"criedWinifred。

`Bismarck，isamystery，Bismarck，c"estunmystere，derBismarck，eristeinWunder，"saidGudrun，inmockingincantation。

`Ja，eristeinWunder，"repeatedWinifred，withoddseriousness，underwhichlayawickedchuckle。

`IsteraucheinWunder？"cametheslightlyinsolentsneeringofMademoiselle。

`Doch！"saidWinifredbriefly，indifferent。

`DochisternichteinKonig。Beesmarck，hewasnotaking，Winifred，asyouhavesaid。Hewasonly——iln"etaitquechancelier。"

`Qu"estcequ"unchancelier？"saidWinifred，withslightlycontemptuousindifference。

`Achancelierisachancellor，andachancelloris，Ibelieve，asortofjudge，"saidGeraldcomingupandshakinghandswithGudrun。`You"llhavemadeasongofBismarcksoon，"saidhe。

Mademoisellewaited，anddiscreetlymadeherinclination，andhergreeting。

`Sotheywouldn"tletyouseeBismarck，Mademoiselle？"hesaid。

`Non，Monsieur。"

`Ay，verymeanofthem。Whatareyougoingtodotohim，MissBrangwen？

Iwanthimsenttothekitchenandcooked。"

`Ohno，"criedWinifred。

`We"regoingtodrawhim，"saidGudrun。

`Drawhimandquarterhimanddishhimup，"hesaid，beingpurposelyfatuous。

`Ohno，"criedWinifredwithemphasis，chuckling。

Gudrundetectedthetangofmockeryinhim，andshelookedupandsmiledintohisface。Hefelthisnervescaressed。Theireyesmetinknowledge。

`HowdoyoulikeShortlands？"heasked。

`Oh，verymuch，"shesaid，withnonchalance。

`Gladyoudo。Haveyounoticedtheseflowers？"

Heledheralongthepath。Shefollowedintently。Winifredcame，andthegovernesslingeredintherear。Theystoppedbeforesomeveinedsalpiglossisflowers。

`Aren"ttheywonderful？"shecried，lookingatthemabsorbedly。Strangehowherreverential，almostecstaticadmirationoftheflowerscaressedhisnerves。Shestoopeddown，andtouchedthetrumpets，withinfinitelyfineanddelicate—touchingfinger—tips。Itfilledhimwitheasetoseeher。Whensherose，hereyes，hotwiththebeautyoftheflowers，lookedintohis。

`Whatarethey？"sheasked。

`Sortofpetunia，Isuppose，"heanswered。`Idon"treallyknowthem。"

`Theyarequitestrangerstome，"shesaid。

Theystoodtogetherinafalseintimacy，anervouscontact。Andhewasinlovewithher。

ShewasawareofMademoisellestandingnear，likealittleFrenchbeetle，observantandcalculating。ShemovedawaywithWinifred，sayingtheywouldgotofindBismarck。

Geraldwatchedthemgo，lookingallthewhileatthesoft，full，stillbodyofGudrun，initssilkycashmere。Howsilkyandrichandsoftherbodymustbe。Anexcessofappreciationcameoverhismind，shewastheall—desirable，theall—beautiful。Hewantedonlytocometoher，nothingmore。Hewasonlythis，thisbeingthatshouldcometoher，andbegiventoher。

AtthesametimehewasfinelyandacutelyawareofMademoiselle"sneat，brittlefinalityofform。Shewaslikesomeelegantbeetlewiththinankles，perchedonherhighheels，herglossyblackdressperfectlycorrect，herdarkhairdonehighandadmirably。Howrepulsivehercompletenessandherfinalitywas！Heloathedher。

Yethedidadmireher。Shewasperfectlycorrect。Anditdidratherannoyhim，thatGudruncamedressedinstartlingcolours，likeamacaw，whenthefamilywasinmourning。Likeamacawshewas！Hewatchedthelingeringwayshetookherfeetfromtheground。Andherankleswerepaleyellow，andherdressadeepblue。Yetitpleasedhim。Itpleasedhimverymuch。

Hefeltthechallengeinherveryattire——shechallengedthewholeworld。

Andhesmiledastothenoteofatrumpet。

GudrunandWinifredwentthroughthehousetotheback，wherewerethestablesandtheout—buildings。Everywherewasstillanddeserted。MrCrichhadgoneoutforashortdrive，thestablemanhadjustledroundGerald"shorse。Thetwogirlswenttothehutchthatstoodinacorner，andlookedatthegreatblack—and—whiterabbit。

`Isn"thebeautiful！Oh，dolookathimlistening！Doesn"thelooksilly！"

shelaughedquickly，thenadded`Oh，dolet"sdohimlistening，doletus，helistenswithsomuchofhimself;——don"tyoudarlingBismarck？"

`Canwetakehimout？"saidGudrun。

`He"sverystrong。Hereallyisextremelystrong。"ShelookedatGudrun，herheadononeside，inoddcalculatingmistrust。

`Butwe"lltry，shallwe？"

`Yes，ifyoulike。Buthe"safearfulkicker！"

Theytookthekeytounlockthedoor。Therabbitexplodedinawildrushroundthehutch。

`Hescratchesmostawfullysometimes，"criedWinifredinexcitement。

`Ohdolookathim，isn"thewonderful！"Therabbittoreroundthehutchinahurry。`Bismarck！"criedthechild，inrousingexcitement。`Howdreadfulyouare！Youarebeastly。"WinifredlookedupatGudrunwithsomemisgivinginherwildexcitement。Gudrunsmiledsardonicallywithhermouth。Winifredmadeastrangecrooningnoiseofunaccountableexcitement。`Nowhe"sstill！"

shecried，seeingtherabbitsettleddowninafarcornerofthehutch。

`Shallwetakehimnow？"shewhisperedexcitedly，mysteriously，lookingupatGudrunandedgingveryclose。`Shallwegethimnow？——"shechuckledwickedlytoherself。

Theyunlockedthedoorofthehutch。Gudrunthrustinherarmandseizedthegreat，lustyrabbitasitcrouchedstill，shegraspeditslongears。

Itsetitsfourfeetflat，andthrustback。Therewasalongscrapingsoundasitwashauledforward，andinanotherinstantitwasinmid—air，lungingwildly，itsbodyflyinglikeaspringcoiledandreleased，asitlashedout，suspendedfromtheears。Gudrunheldtheblack—and—whitetempestatarms"length，avertingherface。Buttherabbitwasmagicallystrong，itwasallshecoulddotokeephergrasp。Shealmostlostherpresenceofmind。

`Bismarck，Bismarck，youarebehavingterribly，"saidWinifredinaratherfrightenedvoice，`Oh，doputhimdown，he"sbeastly。"

Gudrunstoodforamomentastoundedbythethunder—stormthathadsprungintobeinginhergrip。Thenhercolourcameup，aheavyragecameoverherlikeacloud。Shestoodshakenasahouseinastorm，andutterlyovercome。

Herheartwasarrestedwithfuryatthemindlessnessandthebestialstupidityofthisstruggle，herwristswerebadlyscoredbytheclawsofthebeast，aheavycrueltywelledupinher。

Geraldcameroundasshewastryingtocapturetheflyingrabbitunderherarm。Hesaw，withsubtlerecognition，hersullenpassionofcruelty。

`Youshouldletoneofthemendothatforyou，"hesaidhurryingup。

`Oh，he"ssohorrid！"criedWinifred，almostfrantic。

Heheldouthisnervous，sinewyhandandtooktherabbitbytheears，fromGudrun。

`It"smostfearfullystrong，"shecried，inahighvoice，likethecryingaseagull，strangeandvindictive。

Therabbitmadeitselfintoaballintheair，andlashedout，flingingitselfintoabow。Itreallyseemeddemoniacal。GudrunsawGerald"sbodytighten，sawasharpblindnesscomeintohiseyes。

`Iknowthesebeggarsofold，"hesaid。

Thelong，demon—likebeastlashedoutagain，spreadontheairasifitwereflying，lookingsomethinglikeadragon，thenclosingupagain，inconceivablypowerfulandexplosive。Theman"sbody，strungtoitsefforts，vibratedstrongly。Thenasuddensharp，white—edgedwrathcameupinhim。

Swiftaslightninghedrewbackandbroughthisfreehanddownlikeahawkontheneckoftherabbit。Simultaneously，therecametheunearthlyabhorrentscreamofarabbitinthefearofdeath。Itmadeoneimmensewrithe，torehiswristsandhissleevesinafinalconvulsion，allitsbellyflashedwhiteinawhirlwindofpaws，andthenhehadslungitroundandhaditunderhisarm，fast。Itcoweredandskulked。Hisfacewasgleamingwithasmile。

`Youwouldn"tthinktherewasallthatforceinarabbit，"hesaid，lookingatGudrun。Andhesawhereyesblackasnightinherpallidface，shelookedalmostunearthly。Thescreamoftherabbit，aftertheviolenttussle，seemedtohavetorntheveilofherconsciousness。Helookedather，andthewhitish，electricgleaminhisfaceintensified。

`Idon"treallylikehim，"Winifredwascrooning。`Idon"tcareforhimasIdoforLoozie。He"shatefulreally。"

AsmiletwistedGudrun"sface，assherecovered。Sheknewshewasrevealed。

`Don"ttheymakethemostfearfulnoisewhentheyscream？"shecried，thehighnoteinhervoice，likeasea—gull"scry。

`Abominable，"hesaid。

`Heshouldn"tbesosillywhenhehastobetakenout，"Winifredwassaying，puttingoutherhandandtouchingtherabbittentatively，asitskulkedunderhisarm，motionlessasifitweredead。

`He"snotdead，isheGerald？"sheasked。

`No，heoughttobe，"hesaid。

`Yes，heought！"criedthechild，withasuddenflushofamusement。

Andshetouchedtherabbitwithmoreconfidence。`Hisheartisbeatingsofast。Isn"thefunny？Hereallyis。"

`Wheredoyouwanthim？"askedGerald。

`Inthelittlegreencourt，"shesaid。

GudrunlookedatGeraldwithstrange，darkenedeyes，strainedwithunderworldknowledge，almostsupplicating，likethoseofacreaturewhichisathismercy，yetwhichishisultimatevictor。Hedidnotknowwhattosaytoher。Hefeltthemutualhellishrecognition。Andhefeltheoughttosaysomething，tocoverit。Hehadthepoweroflightninginhisnerves，sheseemedlikeasoftrecipientofhismagical，hideouswhitefire。Hewasunconfident，hehadqualmsoffear。

`Didhehurtyou？"heasked。

`No，"shesaid。

`He"saninsensiblebeast，"hesaid，turninghisfaceaway。

Theycametothelittlecourt，whichwasshutinbyoldredwallsinwhosecreviceswall—flowersweregrowing。Thegrasswassoftandfineandold，alevelfloorcarpetingthecourt，theskywasblueoverhead。Geraldtossedtherabbitdown。Itcrouchedstillandwouldnotmove。Gudrunwatcheditwithfainthorror。

`Whydoesn"titmove？"shecried。

`It"sskulking，"hesaid。

Shelookedupathim，andaslightsinistersmilecontractedherwhiteface。

`Isn"titafool！"shecried。`Isn"titasickeningfool？"

Thevindictivemockeryinhervoicemadehisbrainquiver。Glancingupathim，intohiseyes，sherevealedagainthemocking，white—cruelrecognition。

Therewasaleaguebetweenthem，abhorrenttothemboth。Theywereimplicatedwitheachotherinabhorrentmysteries。

`Howmanyscratcheshaveyou？"heasked，showinghishardforearm，whiteandhardandtorninredgashes。

`Howreallyvile！"shecried，flushingwithasinistervision。`Mineisnothing。"

Sheliftedherarmandshowedadeepredscoredownthesilkenwhiteflesh。

`Whatadevil！"heexclaimed。Butitwasasifhehadhadknowledgeofherinthelongredrentofherforearm，sosilkenandsoft。Hedidnotwanttotouchher。Hewouldhavetomakehimselftouchher，deliberately。

Thelong，shallowredripseemedtornacrosshisownbrain，tearingthesurfaceofhisultimateconsciousness，lettingthroughtheforeverunconscious，unthinkableredetherofthebeyond，theobscenebeyond。

`Itdoesn"thurtyouverymuch，doesit？"heasked，solicitous。

`Notatall，"shecried。

Andsuddenlytherabbit，whichhadbeencrouchingasifitwereaflower，sostillandsoft，suddenlyburstintolife。Roundandroundthecourtitwent，asifshotfromagun，roundandroundlikeafurrymeteorite，inatensehardcirclethatseemedtobindtheirbrains。Theyallstoodinamazement，smilinguncannily，asiftherabbitwereobeyingsomeunknownincantation。Roundandrounditflew，onthegrassundertheoldredwallslikeastorm。

Andthenquitesuddenlyitsettleddown，hobbledamongthegrass，andsatconsidering，itsnosetwitchinglikeabitoffluffinthewind。Afterhavingconsideredforafewminutes，asoftbunchwithablack，openeye，whichperhapswaslookingatthem，perhapswasnot，ithobbledcalmlyforwardandbegantonibblethegrasswiththatmeanmotionofarabbit"squickeating。

`It"smad，"saidGudrun。`Itismostdecidedlymad。"

Helaughed。

`Thequestionis，"hesaid，`whatismadness？Idon"tsupposeitisrabbit—mad。"

`Don"tyouthinkitis？"sheasked。

`No。That"swhatitistobearabbit。"

Therewasaqueer，faint，obscenesmileoverhisface。Shelookedathimandsawhim，andknewthathewasinitiateasshewasinitiate。Thisthwartedher，andcontravenedher，forthemoment。

`Godbepraisedwearen"trabbits，"shesaid，inahigh，shrillvoice。

Thesmileintensifiedalittle，onhisface。

`Notrabbits？"hesaid，lookingatherfixedly。

Slowlyherfacerelaxedintoasmileofobscenerecognition。