`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。
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