`Yes。'
　　Therewasareallypuzzledpause。
　　`Ican'tsay，'saidGerald。`Ithasn'tbeen，sofar。'
　　`Whathasyourlifebeen，sofar？'
　　`Oh——findingoutthingsformyself——andgettingexperiences——andmakingthingsgo。'
　　Birkinknittedhisbrowslikesharplymouldedsteel。
　　`Ifind，'hesaid，`thatoneneedssomeonereallypuresingleactivity——Ishouldcallloveasinglepureactivity。ButIdon'treallyloveanybody——notnow。'
　　`Haveyoueverreallylovedanybody？'askedGerald。
　　`Yesandno，'repliedBirkin。
　　`Notfinally？'saidGerald。
　　`Finally——finally——no，'saidBirkin。
　　`NorI，'saidGerald。
　　`Anddoyouwantto？'saidBirkin。
　　Geraldlookedwithalong，twinkling，almostsardoniclookintotheeyesoftheotherman。
　　`Idon'tknow，'hesaid。
　　`Ido——Iwanttolove，'saidBirkin。
　　`Youdo？'
　　`Yes。Iwantthefinalityoflove。'
　　`Thefinalityoflove，'repeatedGerald。Andhewaitedforamoment。
　　`Justonewoman？'headded。Theeveninglight，floodingyellowalongthefields，litupBirkin'sfacewithatense，abstractsteadfastness。
　　Geraldstillcouldnotmakeitout。
　　`Yes，onewoman，'saidBirkin。
　　ButtoGeralditsoundedasifhewereinsistentratherthanconfident。
　　`Idon'tbelieveawoman，andnothingbutawoman，willevermakemylife，'saidGerald。
　　`Notthecentreandcoreofit——thelovebetweenyouandawoman？'
　　askedBirkin。
　　Gerald'seyesnarrowedwithaqueerdangeroussmileashewatchedtheotherman。
　　`Ineverquitefeelitthatway，'hesaid。
　　`Youdon't？Thenwhereindoeslifecentre，foryou？'
　　`Idon'tknow——that'swhatIwantsomebodytotellme。AsfarasI
　　canmakeout，itdoesn'tcentreatall。Itisartificiallyheldtogetherbythesocialmechanism。'
　　Birkinponderedasifhewouldcracksomething。
　　`Iknow，'hesaid，`itjustdoesn'tcentre。Theoldidealsaredeadasnails——nothingthere。Itseemstomethereremainsonlythisperfectunionwithawoman——sortofultimatemarriage——andthereisn'tanythingelse。'
　　`Andyoumeanifthereisn'tthewoman，there'snothing？'saidGerald。
　　`Prettywellthat——seeingthere'snoGod。'
　　`Thenwe'rehardputtoit，'saidGerald。Andheturnedtolookoutofthewindowattheflying，goldenlandscape。
　　Birkincouldnothelpseeinghowbeautifulandsoldierlyhisfacewas，withacertaincouragetobeindifferent。
　　`Youthinkitsheavyoddsagainstus？'saidBirkin。
　　`Ifwe'vegottomakeourlifeupoutofawoman，onewoman，womanonly，yes，Ido，'saidGerald。`Idon'tbelieveIshallevermakeupmylife，atthatrate。'
　　Birkinwatchedhimalmostangrily。
　　`Youareabornunbeliever，'hesaid。
　　`IonlyfeelwhatIfeel，'saidGerald。AndhelookedagainatBirkinalmostsardonically，withhisblue，manly，sharp—lightedeyes。Birkin'seyeswereatthemomentfullofanger。Butswiftlytheybecametroubled，doubtful，thenfullofawarm，richaffectionatenessandlaughter。
　　`Ittroublesmeverymuch，Gerald，'hesaid，wrinklinghisbrows。
　　`Icanseeitdoes，'saidGerald，uncoveringhismouthinamanly，quick，soldierlylaugh。
　　Geraldwasheldunconsciouslybytheotherman。Hewantedtobenearhim，hewantedtobewithinhissphereofinfluence。TherewassomethingverycongenialtohiminBirkin。Butyet，beyondthis，hedidnottakemuchnotice。Hefeltthathe，himself，Gerald，hadharderandmoredurabletruthsthananytheothermanknew。Hefelthimselfolder，moreknowing。
　　Itwasthequick—changingwarmthandvenalityandbrilliantwarmutterancehelovedinhisfriend。Itwastherichplayofwordsandquickinterchangeoffeelingsheenjoyed。Therealcontentofthewordsheneverreallyconsidered:
　　hehimselfknewbetter。
　　Birkinknewthis。HeknewthatGeraldwantedtobefondofhimwithouttakinghimseriously。Andthismadehimgohardandcold。Asthetrainranon，hesatlookingattheland，andGeraldfellaway，becameasnothingtohim。
　　Birkinlookedattheland，attheevening，andwasthinking:`Well，ifmankindisdestroyed，ifourraceisdestroyedlikeSodom，andthereisthisbeautifuleveningwiththeluminouslandandtrees，Iamsatisfied。
　　Thatwhichinformsitallisthere，andcanneverbelost。Afterall，whatismankindbutjustoneexpressionoftheincomprehensible。Andifmankindpassesaway，itwillonlymeanthatthisparticularexpressioniscompletedanddone。Thatwhichisexpressed，andthatwhichistobeexpressed，cannotbediminished。Thereitis，intheshiningevening。Letmankindpassaway——timeitdid。Thecreativeutteranceswillnotcease，theywillonlybethere。Humanitydoesn'tembodytheutteranceoftheincomprehensibleanymore。Humanityisadeadletter。Therewillbeanewembodiment，inanewway。Lethumanitydisappearasquickaspossible。'
　　Geraldinterruptedhimbyasking，`WhereareyoustayinginLondon？'
　　Birkinlookedup。
　　`WithamaninSoho。Ipaypartoftherentofaflat，andstoptherewhenIlike。'
　　`Goodidea——haveaplacemoreorlessyourown，'saidGerald。
　　`Yes。ButIdon'tcareforitmuch。I'mtiredofthepeopleIamboundtofindthere。'
　　`Whatkindofpeople？'
　　`Art——music——LondonBohemia——themostpettifoggingcalculatingBohemiathateverreckoneditspennies。Butthereareafewdecentpeople，decentinsomerespects。Theyarereallyverythoroughrejectersoftheworld——perhapstheyliveonlyinthegestureofrejectionandnegation——butnegativelysomething，atanyrate。'
　　`Whatarethey？——painters，musicians？'
　　`Painters，musicians，writers——hangers—on，models，advancedyoungpeople，anybodywhoisopenlyatoutswiththeconventions，andbelongstonowhereparticularly。TheyareoftenyoungfellowsdownfromtheUniversity，andgirlswhoarelivingtheirownlives，astheysay。'
　　`Allloose？'saidGerald。
　　Birkincouldseehiscuriosityroused。
　　`Inoneway。Mostbound，inanother。Foralltheirshockingness，allononenote。'
　　HelookedatGerald，andsawhowhisblueeyeswerelitupwithalittleflameofcuriousdesire。Hesawtoohowgood—lookinghewas。Geraldwasattractive，hisbloodseemedfluidandelectric。Hisblueeyesburnedwithakeen，yetcoldlight，therewasacertainbeauty，abeautifulpassivityinallhisbody，hismoulding。
　　`Wemightseesomethingofeachother——IaminLondonfortwoorthreedays，'saidGerald。
　　`Yes，'saidBirkin，`Idon'twanttogotothetheatre，orthemusichall——you'dbettercomeroundtotheflat，andseewhatyoucanmakeofHallidayandhiscrowd。'
　　`Thanks——Ishouldliketo，'laughedGerald。`Whatareyoudoingtonight？'
　　`IpromisedtomeetHallidayatthePompadour。It'sabadplace，butthereisnowhereelse。'
　　`Whereisit？'askedGerald。
　　`PiccadillyCircus。'
　　`Ohyes——well，shallIcomeroundthere？'
　　`Byallmeans，itmightamuseyou。'
　　Theeveningwasfalling。TheyhadpassedBedford。Birkinwatchedthecountry，andwasfilledwithasortofhopelessness。Healwaysfeltthis，onapproachingLondon。
　　Hisdislikeofmankind，ofthemassofmankind，amountedalmosttoanillness。
　　`"WherethequietcolouredendofeveningsmilesMilesandmiles——"'
　　hewasmurmuringtohimself，likeamancondemnedtodeath。Gerald，whowasverysubtlyalert，waryinallhissenses，leanedforwardandaskedsmilingly:
　　`Whatwereyousaying？'Birkinglancedathim，laughed，andrepeated:
　　`"Wherethequietcolouredendofeveningsmiles，Milesandmiles，OverpastureswherethesomethingsomethingsheepHalfasleep——"'
　　Geraldalsolookednowatthecountry。AndBirkin，who，forsomereasonwasnowtiredanddispirited，saidtohim:
　　`IalwaysfeeldoomedwhenthetrainisrunningintoLondon。Ifeelsuchadespair，sohopeless，asifitweretheendoftheworld。'
　　`Really！'saidGerald。`Anddoestheendoftheworldfrightenyou？'
　　Birkinliftedhisshouldersinaslowshrug。
　　`Idon'tknow，'hesaid。`Itdoeswhileithangsimminentanddoesn'tfall。Butpeoplegivemeabadfeeling——verybad。'
　　TherewasarousedgladsmileinGerald'seyes。
　　`Dothey？'hesaid。Andhewatchedtheothermancritically。
　　InafewminutesthetrainwasrunningthroughthedisgraceofoutspreadLondon。Everybodyinthecarriagewasonthealert，waitingtoescape。
　　Atlasttheywereunderthehugearchofthestation，inthetremendousshadowofthetown。Birkinshuthimselftogether——hewasinnow。
　　Thetwomenwenttogetherinataxi—cab。
　　`Don'tyoufeellikeoneofthedamned？'askedBirkin，astheysatinalittle，swiftly—runningenclosure，andwatchedthehideousgreatstreet。
　　`No，'laughedGerald。
　　`Itisrealdeath，'saidBirkin。
　　WomenInLove:Chapter6CHAPTERVICremedeMentheTHEYMETagaininthecafeseveralhourslater。
　　Geraldwentthroughthepushdoorsintothelarge，loftyroomwherethefacesandheadsofthedrinkersshoweddimlythroughthehazeofsmoke，reflectedmoredimly，andrepeatedadinfinituminthegreatmirrorsonthewalls，sothatoneseemedtoenteravague，dimworldofshadowydrinkershummingwithinanatmosphereofbluetobaccosmoke。Therewas，however，theredplushoftheseatstogivesubstancewithinthebubbleofpleasure。
　　Geraldmovedinhisslow，observant，glistening—attentivemotiondownbetweenthetablesandthepeoplewhoseshadowyfaceslookedupashepassed。
　　Heseemedtobeenteringinsomestrangeelement，passingintoanilluminatednewregion，amongahostoflicentioussouls。Hewaspleased，andentertained。
　　Helookedoverallthedim，evanescent，strangelyilluminatedfacesthatbentacrossthetables。ThenhesawBirkinriseandsignaltohim。
　　AtBirkin'stablewasagirlwithdark，soft，fluffyhaircutshortintheartistfashion，hanginglevelandfullalmostliketheEgyptianprincess's。Shewassmallanddelicatelymade，withwarmcolouringandlarge，darkhostileeyes。Therewasadelicacy，almostabeautyinallherform，andatthesametimeacertainattractivegrossnessofspirit，thatmadealittlesparkleapinstantlyalightinGerald'seyes。
　　Birkin，wholookedmuted，unreal，hispresenceleftout，introducedherasMissDarrington。Shegaveherhandwithasudden，unwillingmovement，lookingallthewhileatGeraldwithadark，exposedstare。Aglowcameoverhimashesatdown。
　　Thewaiterappeared。Geraldglancedattheglassesoftheothertwo。
　　Birkinwasdrinkingsomethinggreen，MissDarringtonhadasmallliqueurglassthatwasemptysaveforatinydrop。
　　`Won'tyouhavesomemore——？'
　　`Brandy，'shesaid，sippingherlastdropandputtingdowntheglass。
　　Thewaiterdisappeared。
　　`No，'shesaidtoBirkin。`Hedoesn'tknowI'mback。He'llbeterrifiedwhenheseesmehere。'
　　Shespokeherr'slikew's，lispingwithaslightlybabyishpronunciationwhichwasatonceaffectedandtruetohercharacter。Hervoicewasdullandtoneless。
　　`Whereishethen？'askedBirkin。
　　`He'sdoingaprivateshowatLadySnellgrove's，'saidthegirl。`Warensistheretoo。'
　　Therewasapause。
　　`Well，then，'saidBirkin，inadispassionateprotectivemanner，`whatdoyouintendtodo？'
　　Thegirlpausedsullenly。Shehatedthequestion。
　　`Idon'tintendtodoanything，'shereplied。`Ishalllookforsomesittingstomorrow。'
　　`Whoshallyougoto？'askedBirkin。
　　`IshallgotoBentley'sfirst。ButIbelievehe'sangwywithmeforrunningaway。'
　　`ThatisfromtheMadonna？'
　　`Yes。Andthenifhedoesn'twantme，IknowIcangetworkwithCarmarthen。'
　　`Carmarthen？'
　　`LordCarmarthen——hedoesphotographs。'
　　`Chiffonandshoulders——'
　　`Yes。Buthe'sawfullydecent。'Therewasapause。
　　`AndwhatareyougoingtodoaboutJulius？'heasked。
　　`Nothing，'shesaid。`Ishalljustignorehim。'
　　`You'vedonewithhimaltogether？'Butsheturnedasideherfacesullenly，anddidnotanswerthequestion。
　　Anotheryoungmancamehurryinguptothetable。
　　`HalloBirkin！HalloPussum，whendidyoucomeback？'hesaideagerly。
　　`Today。'
　　`DoesHallidayknow？'
　　`Idon'tknow。Idon'tcareeither。'
　　`Ha—ha！Thewindstillsitsinthatquarter，doesit？DoyoumindifIcomeovertothistable？'
　　`I'mtalkingtoWupert，doyoumind？'shereplied，coollyandyetappealingly，likeachild。
　　`Openconfession——goodforthesoul，eh？'saidtheyoungman。`Well，solong。'
　　AndgivingasharplookatBirkinandatGerald，theyoungmanmovedoff，withaswingofhiscoatskirts。
　　AllthistimeGeraldhadbeencompletelyignored。Andyethefeltthatthegirlwasphysicallyawareofhisproximity。Hewaited，listened，andtriedtopiecetogethertheconversation。
　　`Areyoustayingattheflat？'thegirlasked，ofBirkin。
　　`Forthreedays，'repliedBirkin。`Andyou？'
　　`Idon'tknowyet。IcanalwaysgotoBertha's。'Therewasasilence。
　　SuddenlythegirlturnedtoGerald，andsaid，inaratherformal，politevoice，withthedistantmannerofawomanwhoacceptsherpositionasasocialinferior，yetassumesintimatecamaraderiewiththemalesheaddresses:
　　`DoyouknowLondonwell？'
　　`Icanhardlysay，'helaughed。`I'vebeenupagoodmanytimes，butIwasneverinthisplacebefore。'
　　`You'renotanartist，then？'shesaid，inatonethatplacedhimanoutsider。
　　`No，'hereplied。
　　`He'sasoldier，andanexplorer，andaNapoleonofindustry，'saidBirkin，givingGeraldhiscredentialsforBohemia。
　　`Areyouasoldier？'askedthegirl，withacoldyetlivelycuriosity。
　　`No，Iresignedmycommission，'saidGerald，`someyearsago。'
　　`Hewasinthelastwar，'saidBirkin。
　　`Wereyoureally？'saidthegirl。
　　`AndthenheexploredtheAmazon，'saidBirkin，`andnowheisrulingovercoal—mines。'
　　ThegirllookedatGeraldwithsteady，calmcuriosity。Helaughed，hearinghimselfdescribed。Hefeltproudtoo，fullofmalestrength。Hisblue，keeneyeswerelitupwithlaughter，hisruddyface，withitssharpfairhair，wasfullofsatisfaction，andglowingwithlife。Hepiquedher。
　　`Howlongareyoustaying？'sheaskedhim。
　　`Adayortwo，'hereplied。`Butthereisnoparticularhurry。'
　　Stillshestaredintohisfacewiththatslow，fullgazewhichwassocuriousandsoexcitingtohim。Hewasacutelyanddelightfullyconsciousofhimself，ofhisownattractiveness。Hefeltfullofstrength，abletogiveoffasortofelectricpower。Andhewasawareofherdark，hot—lookingeyesuponhim。Shehadbeautifuleyes，dark，fully—opened，hot，nakedintheirlookingathim。Andonthemthereseemedtofloatafilmofdisintegration，asortofmiseryandsullenness，likeoilonwater。Sheworenohatintheheatedcafe，herloose，simplejumperwasstrungonastringroundherneck。Butitwasmadeofrichpeach—colouredcrepe—de—chine，thathungheavilyandsoftlyfromheryoungthroatandherslenderwrists。Herappearancewassimpleandcomplete，reallybeautiful，becauseofherregularityandform，hersoftdarkhairfallingfullandleveloneithersideofherhead，herstraight，small，softenedfeatures，Egyptianintheslightfulnessoftheircurves，herslenderneckandthesimple，rich—colouredsmockhangingonherslendershoulders。Shewasverystill，almostnull，inhermanner，apartandwatchful。
　　SheappealedtoGeraldstrongly。Hefeltanawful，enjoyablepoweroverher，aninstinctivecherishingveryneartocruelty。Forshewasavictim。
　　Hefeltthatshewasinhispower，andhewasgenerous。Theelectricitywasturgidandvoluptuouslyrich，inhislimbs。Hewouldbeabletodestroyherutterlyinthestrengthofhisdischarge。Butshewaswaitinginherseparation，given。
　　Theytalkedbanalitiesforsometime。SuddenlyBirkinsaid:
　　`There'sJulius！'andhehalfrosetohisfeet，motioningtothenewcomer。
　　Thegirl，withacurious，almostevilmotion，lookedroundoverhershoulderwithoutmovingherbody。Geraldwatchedherdark，softhairswingoverherears。Hefeltherwatchingintenselythemanwhowasapproaching，sohelookedtoo。Hesawapale，full—builtyoungmanwithratherlong，solidfairhairhangingfromunderhisblackhat，movingcumbrouslydowntheroom，hisfacelitupwithasmileatoncenaiveandwarm，andvapid。HeapproachedtowardsBirkin，withahasteofwelcome。
　　Itwasnottillhewasquiteclosethatheperceivedthegirl。Herecoiled，wentpale，andsaid，inahighsquealingvoice:
　　`Pussum，whatareyoudoinghere？'
　　Thecafelookeduplikeanimalswhentheyhearacry。Hallidayhungmotionless，analmostimbecilesmileflickeringpalelyonhisface。Thegirlonlystaredathimwithablacklookinwhichflaredanunfathomablehellofknowledge，andacertainimpotence。Shewaslimitedbyhim。
　　`Whyhaveyoucomeback？'repeatedHalliday，inthesamehigh，hystericalvoice。`Itoldyounottocomeback。'
　　Thegirldidnotanswer，onlystaredinthesameviscous，heavyfashion，straightathim，ashestoodrecoiled，asifforsafety，againstthenexttable。
　　`Youknowyouwantedhertocomeback——comeandsitdown，'saidBirkintohim。
　　`NoIdidn'twanthertocomeback，andItoldhernottocomeback。
　　Whathaveyoucomefor，Pussum？'
　　`Fornothingfromyou，'shesaidinaheavyvoiceofresentment。
　　`Thenwhyhaveyoucomebackatall？'criedHalliday，hisvoicerisingtoakindofsqueal。
　　`Shecomesasshelikes，'saidBirkin。`Areyougoingtositdown，orareyounot？'
　　`No，Iwon'tsitdownwithPussum，'criedHalliday。
　　`Iwon'thurtyou，youneedn'tbeafraid，'shesaidtohim，verycurtly，andyetwithasortofprotectivenesstowardshim，inhervoice。
　　Hallidaycameandsatatthetable，puttinghishandonhisheart，andcrying:
　　`Oh，it'sgivenmesuchaturn！Pussum，Iwishyouwouldn'tdothesethings。Whydidyoucomeback？'
　　`Notforanythingfromyou，'sherepeated。
　　`You'vesaidthatbefore，'hecriedinahighvoice。
　　Sheturnedcompletelyawayfromhim，toGeraldCrich，whoseeyeswereshiningwithasubtleamusement。
　　`Wereyouevervewymuchafwaidofthesavages？'sheaskedinhercalm，dullchildishvoice。
　　`No——neververymuchafraid。Onthewholethey'reharmless——they'renotbornyet，youcan'tfeelreallyafraidofthem。Youknowyoucanmanagethem。'
　　`Doyouweally？Aren'ttheyveryfierce？'
　　`Notvery。Therearen'tmanyfiercethings，asamatteroffact。Therearen'tmanythings，neitherpeoplenoranimals，thathaveitinthemtobereallydangerous。'
　　`Exceptinherds，'interruptedBirkin。
　　`Aren'ttherereally？'shesaid。`Oh，Ithoughtsavageswereallsodangerous，they'dhaveyourlifebeforeyoucouldlookround。'
　　`Didyou？'helaughed。`Theyareover—rated，savages。They'retoomuchlikeotherpeople，notexciting，afterthefirstacquaintance。'
　　`Oh，it'snotsoverywonderfullybravethen，tobeanexplorer？'
　　`No。It'smoreaquestionofhardshipsthanofterrors。'
　　`Oh！Andweren'tyoueverafraid？'
　　`Inmylife？Idon'tknow。Yes，I'mafraidofsomethings——ofbeingshutup，lockedupanywhere——orbeingfastened。I'mafraidofbeingboundhandandfoot。'
　　Shelookedathimsteadilywithherdarkeyes，thatrestedonhimandrousedhimsodeeply，thatitlefthisupperselfquitecalm。Itwasratherdelicious，tofeelherdrawinghisself—revelationsfromhim，asfromtheveryinnermostdarkmarrowofhisbody。Shewantedtoknow。Andherdarkeyesseemedtobelookingthroughintohisnakedorganism。Hefelt，shewascompelledtohim，shewasfatedtocomeintocontactwithhim，musthavetheseeinghimandknowinghim。Andthisrousedacuriousexultance。
　　Alsohefelt，shemustrelinquishherselfintohishands，andbesubjecttohim。Shewassoprofane，slave—like，watchinghim，absorbedbyhim。
　　Itwasnotthatshewasinterestedinwhathesaid;shewasabsorbedbyhisself—revelation，byhim，shewantedthesecretofhim，theexperienceofhismalebeing。
　　Gerald'sfacewaslitupwithanuncannysmile，fulloflightandrousedness，yetunconscious。Hesatwithhisarmsonthetable，hissunbrowned，rathersinisterhands，thatwereanimalandyetveryshapelyandattractive，pushedforwardtowardsher。Andtheyfascinatedher。Andsheknew，shewatchedherownfascination。
　　Othermenhadcometothetable，totalkwithBirkinandHalliday。Geraldsaidinalowvoice，apart，toPussum:
　　`Wherehaveyoucomebackfrom？'
　　`Fromthecountry，'repliedPussum，inaverylow，yetfullyresonantvoice。Herfaceclosedhard。ContinuallysheglancedatHalliday，andthenablackflarecameoverhereyes。Theheavy，fairyoungmanignoredhercompletely;hewasreallyafraidofher。ForsomemomentsshewouldbeunawareofGerald。Hehadnotconqueredheryet。
　　`AndwhathasHallidaytodowithit？'heasked，hisvoicestillmuted。
　　Shewouldnotanswerforsomeseconds。Thenshesaid，unwillingly:
　　`Hemademegoandlivewithhim，andnowhewantstothrowmeover。
　　Andyethewon'tletmegotoanybodyelse。Hewantsmetolivehiddeninthecountry。AndthenhesaysIpersecutehim，thathecan'tgetridofme。'
　　`Doesn'tknowhisownmind，'saidGerald。
　　`Hehasn'tanymind，sohecan'tknowit，'shesaid。`Hewaitsforwhatsomebodytellshimtodo。Heneverdoesanythinghewantstodohimself——becausehedoesn'tknowwhathewants。He'saperfectbaby。'
　　GeraldlookedatHallidayforsomemoments，watchingthesoft，ratherdegeneratefaceoftheyoungman。Itsverysoftnesswasanattraction;
　　itwasasoft，warm，corruptnature，intowhichonemightplungewithgratification。
　　`Buthehasnoholdoveryou，hashe？'Geraldasked。
　　`Youseehemademegoandlivewithhim，whenIdidn'twantto，'shereplied。`Hecameandcriedtome，tears，youneversawsomany，sayinghecouldn'tbearitunlessIwentbacktohim。Andhewouldn'tgoaway，hewouldhavestayedforever。Hemademegoback。Theneverytimehebehavesinthisfashion。AndnowI'mgoingtohaveababy，hewantstogivemeahundredpoundsandsendmeintothecountry，sothathewouldneverseemenorhearofmeagain。ButI'mnotgoingtodoit，after——
　　'
　　AqueerlookcameoverGerald'sface。
　　`Areyougoingtohaveachild？'heaskedincredulous。Itseemed，tolookather，impossible，shewassoyoungandsofarinspiritfromanychild—bearing。
　　Shelookedfullintohisface，andherdark，inchoateeyeshadnowafurtivelook，andalookofaknowledgeofevil，darkandindomitable。
　　Aflameransecretlytohisheart。
　　`Yes，'shesaid。`Isn'titbeastly？'
　　`Don'tyouwantit？'heasked。
　　`Idon't，'sherepliedemphatically。
　　`But——'hesaid，`howlonghaveyouknown？'
　　`Tenweeks，'shesaid。
　　Allthetimeshekeptherdark，inchoateeyesfulluponhim。Heremainedsilent，thinking。Then，switchingoffandbecomingcold，heasked，inavoicefullofconsideratekindness:
　　`Isthereanythingwecaneathere？Isthereanythingyouwouldlike？'
　　`Yes，'shesaid，`Ishouldadoresomeoysters。'
　　`Allright，'hesaid。`We'llhaveoysters。'Andhebeckonedtothewaiter。
　　Hallidaytooknonotice，untilthelittleplatewassetbeforeher。
　　Thensuddenlyhecried:
　　`Pussum，youcan'teatoysterswhenyou'redrinkingbrandy。'
　　`Whathasitgotodowithyou？'sheasked。
　　`Nothing，nothing，'hecried。`Butyoucan'teatoysterswhenyou'redrinkingbrandy。'
　　`I'mnotdrinkingbrandy，'shereplied，andshesprinkledthelastdropsofherliqueuroverhisface。Hegaveanoddsqueal。Shesatlookingathim，asifindifferent。
　　`Pussum，whydoyoudothat？'hecriedinpanic。HegaveGeraldtheimpressionthathewasterrifiedofher，andthathelovedhisterror。
　　Heseemedtorelishhisownhorrorandhatredofher，turnitoverandextracteveryflavourfromit，inrealpanic。Geraldthoughthimastrangefool，andyetpiquant。
　　`ButPussum，'saidanotherman，inaverysmall，quickEtonvoice，`youpromisednottohurthim。'
　　`Ihaven'thurthim，'sheanswered。
　　`Whatwillyoudrink？'theyoungmanasked。Hewasdark，andsmooth—skinned，andfullofastealthyvigour。
　　`Idon'tlikeporter，Maxim，'shereplied。