`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。
