`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。