`Notnow，\'hereplied。`Ihavedoneallsorts——exceptportraits——
Ineverdidportraits。Butotherthings——\'
`Whatkindofthings？\'askedGudrun。
Hepausedamoment，thenrose，andwentoutoftheroom。Hereturnedalmostimmediatelywithalittlerollofpaper，whichhehandedtoher。
Sheunrolledit。Itwasaphotogravurereproductionofastatuette，signedF。Loerke。
`Thatisquiteanearlything——notmechanical，\'hesaid，`morepopular。\'
Thestatuettewasofanakedgirl，small，finelymade，sittingonagreatnakedhorse。Thegirlwasyoungandtender，amerebud。Shewassittingsidewaysonthehorse，herfaceinherhands，asifinshameandgrief，inalittleabandon。Herhair，whichwasshortandmustbeflaxen，fellforward，divided，halfcoveringherhands。
Herlimbswereyoungandtender。Herlegs，scarcelyformedyet，thelegsofamaidenjustpassingtowardscruelwomanhood，dangledchildishlyoverthesideofthepowerfulhorse，pathetically，thesmallfeetfoldedoneovertheother，asiftohide。Buttherewasnohiding。Thereshewasexposednakedonthenakedflankofthehorse。
Thehorsestoodstockstill，stretchedinakindofstart。Itwasamassive，magnificentstallion，rigidwithpent—uppower。Itsneckwasarchedandterrible，likeasickle，itsflankswerepressedback，rigidwithpower。
Gudrunwentpale，andadarknesscameoverhereyes，likeshame，shelookedupwithacertainsupplication，almostslave—like。Heglancedather，andjerkedhisheadalittle。
`Howbigisit？\'sheasked，inatonelessvoice，persistinginappearingcasualandunaffected。
`Howbig？\'hereplied，glancingagainather。`Withoutpedestal——sohigh——\'hemeasuredwithhishand——`withpedestal，so——\'
Helookedathersteadily。Therewasalittlebrusque，turgidcontemptforherinhisswiftgesture，andsheseemedtocringealittle。
`Andwhatisitdonein？\'sheasked，throwingbackherheadandlookingathimwithaffectedcoldness。
Hestillgazedathersteadily，andhisdominancewasnotshaken。
`Bronze——greenbronze。\'
`Greenbronze！\'repeatedGudrun，coldlyacceptinghischallenge。Shewasthinkingoftheslender，immature，tenderlimbsofthegirl，smoothandcoldingreenbronze。
`Yes，beautiful，\'shemurmured，lookingupathimwithacertaindarkhomage。
Heclosedhiseyesandlookedaside，triumphant。
`Why，\'saidUrsula，`didyoumakethehorsesostiff？Itisasstiffasablock。\'
`Stiff？\'herepeated，inarmsatonce。
`Yes。Lookhowstockandstupidandbrutalitis。Horsesaresensitive，quitedelicateandsensitive，really。\'
Heraisedhisshoulders，spreadhishandsinashrugofslowindifference，asmuchastoinformhershewasanamateurandanimpertinentnobody。
`WissenSie，\'hesaid，withaninsultingpatienceandcondescensioninhisvoice，`thathorseisacertainform，partofawholeform。
Itispartofaworkofart，apieceofform。Itisnotapictureofafriendlyhorsetowhichyougivealumpofsugar，doyousee——itispartofaworkofart，ithasnorelationtoanythingoutsidethatworkofart。\'
Ursula，angryatbeingtreatedquitesoinsultinglydehautenbas，fromtheheightofesotericarttothedepthofgeneralexotericamateurism，replied，hotly，flushingandliftingherface。
`Butitisapictureofahorse，nevertheless。\'
Heliftedhisshouldersinanothershrug。
`Asyoulike——itisnotapictureofacow，certainly。\'
HereGudrunbrokein，flushedandbrilliant，anxioustoavoidanymoreofthis，anymoreofUrsula\'sfoolishpersistenceingivingherselfaway。
`Whatdoyoumeanby\"itisapictureofahorse？\"\'shecriedathersister。`Whatdoyoumeanbyahorse？Youmeananideayouhaveinyourhead，andwhichyouwanttoseerepresented。Thereisanotherideaaltogether，quiteanotheridea。Callitahorseifyoulike，orsayitisnotahorse。
Ihavejustasmuchrighttosaythatyourhorseisn\'tahorse，thatitisafalsityofyourownmake—up。\'
Ursulawavered，baffled。Thenherwordscame。
`Butwhydoeshehavethisideaofahorse？\'shesaid。`Iknowitishisidea。Iknowitisapictureofhimself，really——\'
Loerkesnortedwithrage。
`Apictureofmyself！\'herepeated，inderision。`Wissensie，gnadigeFrau，thatisaKunstwerk，aworkofart。Itisaworkofart，itisapictureofnothing，ofabsolutelynothing。Ithasnothingtodowithanythingbutitself，ithasnorelationwiththeeverydayworldofthisandother，thereisnoconnectionbetweenthem，absolutelynone，theyaretwodifferentanddistinctplanesofexistence，andtotranslateoneintotheotherisworsethanfoolish，itisadarkeningofallcounsel，amakingconfusioneverywhere。Doyousee，youmustnotconfusetherelativeworkofaction，withtheabsoluteworldofart。Thatyoumustnotdo。\'
`Thatisquitetrue，\'criedGudrun，letlooseinasortofrhapsody。
`Thetwothingsarequiteandpermanentlyapart，theyhavenothingtodowithoneanother。Iandmyart，theyhavenothingtodowitheachother。Myartstandsinanotherworld，Iaminthisworld。\'
Herfacewasflushedandtransfigured。Loerkewhowassittingwithhisheadducked，likesomecreatureatbay，lookedupather，swiftly，almostfurtively，andmurmured，`Ja——soistes，soistes。\'
Ursulawassilentafterthisoutburst。Shewasfurious。Shewantedtopokeaholeintothemboth。
`Itisn\'tawordofittrue，ofallthisharangueyouhavemademe，\'
sherepliedflatly。`Thehorseisapictureofyourownstock，stupidbrutality，andthegirlwasagirlyoulovedandtorturedandthenignored。\'
Helookedupatherwithasmallsmileofcontemptinhiseyes。Hewouldnottroubletoanswerthislastcharge。
Gudruntoowassilentinexasperatedcontempt。Ursulawassuchaninsufferableoutsider，rushinginwhereangelswouldfeartotread。
Butthen——foolsmustbesuffered，ifnotgladly。
ButUrsulawaspersistenttoo。
`Asforyourworldofartandyourworldofreality，\'shereplied，`youhavetoseparatethetwo，becauseyoucan\'tbeartoknowwhatyouare。
Youcan\'tbeartorealisewhatastock，stiff，hide—boundbrutalityyouarereally，soyousay\"it\'stheworldofart。\"Theworldofartisonlythetruthabouttherealworld，that\'sall——butyouaretoofargonetoseeit。\'
Shewaswhiteandtrembling，intent。GudrunandLoerkesatinstiffdislikeofher。Geraldtoo，whohadcomeupinthebeginningofthespeech，stoodlookingatherincompletedisapprovalandopposition。Hefeltshewasundignified，sheputasortofvulgarityovertheesotericismwhichgavemanhislastdistinction。Hejoinedhisforceswiththeothertwo。
Theyallthreewantedhertogoaway。Butshesatoninsilence，hersoulweeping，throbbingviolently，herfingerstwistingherhandkerchief。
Theothersmaintainedadeadsilence，lettingthedisplayofUrsula\'sobtrusivenesspassby。ThenGudrunasked，inavoicethatwasquitecoolandcasual，asifresumingacasualconversation:
`Wasthegirlamodel？\'
`Nein，siewarkeinModell。SiewareinekleineMalschulerin。\'
`Anart—student！\'repliedGudrun。
Andhowthesituationrevealeditselftoher！Shesawthegirlart—student，unformedandofperniciousrecklessness，tooyoung，herstraightflaxenhaircutshort，hangingjustintoherneck，curvinginwardsslightly，becauseitwasratherthick;andLoerke，thewell—knownmaster—sculptor，andthegirl，probablywell—brought—up，andofgoodfamily，thinkingherselfsogreattobehismistress。Ohhowwellsheknewthecommoncallousnessofitall。Dresden，Paris，orLondon，whatdiditmatter？Sheknewit。
`Whereisshenow？\'Ursulaasked。
Loerkeraisedhisshoulders，toconveyhiscompleteignoranceandindifference。
`Thatisalreadysixyearsago，\'hesaid;`shewillbetwenty—threeyearsold，nomoregood。\'
Geraldhadpickedupthepictureandwaslookingatit。Itattractedhimalso。Hesawonthepedestal，thatthepiecewascalled`LadyGodiva。\'
`Butthisisn\'tLadyGodiva，\'hesaid，smilinggood—humouredly。`Shewasthemiddle—agedwifeofsomeEarlorother，whocoveredherselfwithherlonghair。\'
`AlaMaudAllan，\'saidGudrunwithamockinggrimace。
`WhyMaudAllan？\'hereplied。`Isn\'titso？Ialwaysthoughtthelegendwasthat。\'
`Yes，Geralddear，I\'mquitesureyou\'vegotthelegendperfectly。\'
Shewaslaughingathim，withalittle，mock—caressivecontempt。
`Tobesure，I\'dratherseethewomanthanthehair，\'helaughedinreturn。
`Wouldn\'tyoujust！\'mockedGudrun。
Ursularoseandwentaway，leavingthethreetogether。
GudruntookthepictureagainfromGerald，andsatlookingatitclosely。
`Ofcourse，\'shesaid，turningtoteaseLoerkenow，`youunderstoodyourlittleMalschulerin。\'
Heraisedhiseyebrowsandhisshouldersinacomplacentshrug。
`Thelittlegirl？\'askedGerald，pointingtothefigure。
Gudrunwassittingwiththepictureinherlap。ShelookedupatGerald，fullintohiseyes，sothatheseemedtobeblinded。
`Didn\'theunderstandher！\'shesaidtoGerald，inaslightlymocking，humorousplayfulness。`You\'veonlytolookatthefeet——aren\'ttheydarling，soprettyandtender——oh，they\'rereallywonderful，theyarereally——\'
Sheliftedhereyesslowly，withahot，flaminglookintoLoerke\'seyes。
Hissoulwasfilledwithherburningrecognition，heseemedtogrowmoreuppishandlordly。
Geraldlookedatthesmall，sculpturedfeet。Theywereturnedtogether，halfcoveringeachotherinpatheticshynessandfear。Helookedatthemalongtime，fascinated。Then，insomepain，heputthepictureawayfromhim。Hefeltfullofbarrenness。
`Whatwashername？\'GudrunaskedLoerke。
`AnnettevonWeck，\'Loerkerepliedreminiscent。`Ja，siewarhubsch。
Shewaspretty——butshewastiresome。Shewasanuisance，——notforaminutewouldshekeepstill——notuntilI\'dslappedherhardandmadehercry——thenshe\'dsitforfiveminutes。\'
Hewasthinkingoverthework，hiswork，theallimportanttohim。
`Didyoureallyslapher？\'askedGudrun，coolly。
Heglancedbackather，readingherchallenge。
`Yes，Idid，\'hesaid，nonchalant，`harderthanIhaveeverbeatanythinginmylife。Ihadto，Ihadto。ItwastheonlywayIgottheworkdone。\'
Gudrunwatchedhimwithlarge，dark—filledeyes，forsomemoments。Sheseemedtobeconsideringhisverysoul。Thenshelookeddown，insilence。
`WhydidyouhavesuchayoungGodivathen？\'askedGerald。`Sheissosmall，besides，onthehorse——notbigenoughforit——suchachild。\'
AqueerspasmwentoverLoerke\'sface。
`Yes，\'hesaid。`Idon\'tlikethemanybigger，anyolder。Thentheyarebeautiful，atsixteen，seventeen，eighteen——afterthat，theyarenousetome。\'
Therewasamoment\'spause。
`Whynot？\'askedGerald。
Loerkeshruggedhisshoulders。
`Idon\'tfindtheminteresting——orbeautiful——theyarenogoodtome，formywork。\'
`Doyoumeantosayawomanisn\'tbeautifulaftersheistwenty？\'askedGerald。
`Forme，no。Beforetwenty，sheissmallandfreshandtenderandslight。
Afterthat——letherbewhatshelikes，shehasnothingforme。TheVenusofMiloisabourgeoise——soaretheyall。\'
`Andyoudon\'tcareforwomenatallaftertwenty？\'askedGerald。
`Theyarenogoodtome，theyareofnouseinmyart，\'Loerkerepeatedimpatiently。`Idon\'tfindthembeautiful。\'
`Youareanepicure，\'saidGerald，withaslightsarcasticlaugh。
`Andwhataboutmen？\'askedGudrunsuddenly。
`Yes，theyaregoodatallages，\'repliedLoerke。`Amanshouldbebigandpowerful——whetherheisoldoryoungisofnoaccount，sohehasthesize，somethingofmassivenessand——andstupidform。\'
Ursulawentoutaloneintotheworldofpure，newsnow。Butthedazzlingwhitenessseemedtobeatuponhertillithurther，shefeltthecoldwasslowlystranglinghersoul。Herheadfeltdazedandnumb。
Suddenlyshewantedtogoaway。Itoccurredtoher，likeamiracle，thatshemightgoawayintoanotherworld。Shehadfeltsodoomeduphereintheeternalsnow，asiftherewerenobeyond。
Nowsuddenly，asbyamiraclesherememberedthatawaybeyond，belowher，laythedarkfruitfulearth，thattowardsthesouththerewerestretchesoflanddarkwithorangetreesandcypress，greywitholives，thatilextreesliftedwonderfulplumytuftsinshadowagainstabluesky。Miracleofmiracles！——thisutterlysilent，frozenworldofthemountain—topswasnotuniversal！Onemightleaveitandhavedonewithit。Onemightgoaway。
Shewantedtorealisethemiracleatonce。Shewantedatthisinstanttohavedonewiththesnow—world，theterrible，staticice—builtmountaintops。Shewantedtoseethedarkearth，tosmellitsearthyfecundity，toseethepatientwintryvegetation，tofeelthesunshinetoucharesponseinthebuds。
Shewentbackgladlytothehouse，fullofhope。Birkinwasreading，lyinginbed。
`Rupert，\'shesaid，burstinginonhim。`Iwanttogoaway。\'
Helookedupatherslowly。
`Doyou？\'herepliedmildly。
Shesatbyhimundputherarmsroundhisneck。Itsurprisedherthathewassolittlesurprised。
`Don\'tyou？\'sheaskedtroubled。
`Ihadn\'tthoughtaboutit，\'hesaid。`ButI\'msureIdo。\'
Shesatup，suddenlyerect。
`Ihateit，\'shesaid。`Ihatethesnow，andtheunnaturalnessofit，theunnaturallightitthrowsoneverybody，theghastlyglamour，theunnaturalfeelingsitmakeseverybodyhave。\'
Helaystillandlaughed，meditating。
`Well，\'hesaid，`wecangoaway——wecangotomorrow。We\'llgotomorrowtoVerona，andfindRomeoandJuliet，andsitintheamphitheatre——shallwe？\'
Suddenlyshehidherfaceagainsthisshoulderwithperplexityandshyness。
Helaysountrammelled。
`Yes，\'shesaidsoftly，filledwithrelief。Shefelthersoulhadnewwings，nowhewassouncaring。`IshalllovetobeRomeoandJuliet，\'shesaid。`Mylove！\'
`ThoughafearfullycoldwindblowsinVerona，\'hesaid，`fromoutoftheAlps。Weshallhavethesmellofthesnowinournoses。\'
Shesatupandlookedathim。
`Areyougladtogo？\'sheasked，troubled。
Hiseyeswereinscrutableandlaughing。Shehidherfaceagainsthisneck，clingingclosetohim，pleading:
`Don\'tlaughatme——don\'tlaughatme。\'
`Whyhow\'sthat？\'helaughed，puttinghisarmsroundher。
`BecauseIdon\'twanttobelaughedat，\'shewhispered。
Helaughedmore，ashekissedherdelicate，finelyperfumedhair。
`Doyouloveme？\'shewhispered，inwildseriousness。
`Yes，\'heanswered，laughing。
Suddenlysheliftedhermouthtobekissed。Herlipsweretautandquiveringandstrenuous，hisweresoft，deepanddelicate。Hewaitedafewmomentsinthekiss。Thenashadeofsadnesswentoverhissoul。
`Yourmouthissohard，\'hesaid，infaintreproach。
`Andyoursissosoftandnice，\'shesaidgladly。
`Butwhydoyoualwaysgripyourlips？\'heasked，regretful。
`Nevermind，\'shesaidswiftly。`Itismyway。\'
Sheknewhelovedher;shewassureofhim。Yetshecouldnotletgoacertainholdoverherself，shecouldnotbearhimtoquestionher。Shegaveherselfupindelighttobeinglovedbyhim。Sheknewthat，inspiteofhisjoywhensheabandonedherself，hewasalittlebitsaddenedtoo。
Shecouldgiveherselfuptohisactivity。Butshecouldnotbeherself，shedarednotcomeforthquitenakedlytohisnakedness，abandoningalladjustment，lapsinginpurefaithwithhim。Sheabandonedherselftohim，orshetookholdofhimandgatheredherjoyofhim。Andsheenjoyedhimfully。Buttheywereneverquitetogether，atthesamemoment，onewasalwaysalittleleftout。Neverthelessshewasgladinhope，gloriousandfree，fulloflifeandliberty。Andhewasstillandsoftandpatient，forthetime。
Theymadetheirpreparationstoleavethenextday。FirsttheywenttoGudrun\'sroom，wheresheandGeraldwerejustdressedreadyfortheeveningindoors。
`Prune，\'saidUrsula，`Ithinkweshallgoawaytomorrow。Ican\'tstandthesnowanymore。Ithurtsmyskinandmysoul。\'
`Doesitreallyhurtyoursoul，Ursula？\'askedGudrun，insomesurprise。
`Icanbelievequiteithurtsyourskin——itisterrible。ButI
thoughtitwasadmirableforthesoul。\'
`No，notformine。Itjustinjuresit，\'saidUrsula。
`Really！\'criedGudrun。
Therewasasilenceintheroom。AndUrsulaandBirkincouldfeelthatGudrunandGeraldwererelievedbytheirgoing。
`Youwillgosouth？\'saidGerald，alittleringofuneasinessinhisvoice。
`Yes，\'saidBirkin，turningaway。Therewasaqueer，indefinablehostilitybetweenthetwomen，lately。Birkinwasonthewholedimandindifferent，driftingalonginadim，easyflow，unnoticingandpatient，sincehecameabroad，whilstGeraldontheotherhand，wasintenseandgrippedintowhitelight，agonistes。Thetwomenrevokedoneanother。
GeraldandGudrunwereverykindtothetwowhoweredeparting，solicitousfortheirwelfareasiftheyweretwochildren。GudruncametoUrsula\'sbedroomwiththreepairsofthecolouredstockingsforwhichshewasnotorious，andshethrewthemonthebed。Butthesewerethicksilkstockings，vermilion，cornflowerblue，andgrey，boughtinParis。Thegreyoneswereknitted，seamlessandheavy。Ursulawasinraptures。SheknewGudrunmustbefeelingveryloving，togiveawaysuchtreasures。
`Ican\'ttakethemfromyou，Prune，\'shecried。`Ican\'tpossiblydepriveyouofthem——thejewels。\'
`Aren\'ttheyjewels！\'criedGudrun，eyeinghergiftswithanenviouseye。`Aren\'ttheyreallambs！\'
`Yes，youmustkeepthem，\'saidUrsula。
`Idon\'twantthem，I\'vegotthreemorepairs。Iwantyoutokeepthem——Iwantyoutohavethem。They\'reyours，there——\'
Andwithtrembling，excitedhandssheputthecovetedstockingsunderUrsula\'spillow。
`Onegetsthegreatestjoyofalloutofreallylovelystockings，\'saidUrsula。
`Onedoes，\'repliedGudrun;`thegreatestjoyofall。\'
Andshesatdowninthechair。Itwasevidentshehadcomeforalasttalk。Ursula，notknowingwhatshewanted，waitedinsilence。
`Doyoufeel，Ursula，\'Gudrunbegan，rathersceptically，thatyouaregoing—away—for—ever，never—to—return，sortofthing？\'
`Oh，weshallcomeback，\'saidUrsula。`Itisn\'taquestionoftrain—journeys。\'
`Yes，Iknow。Butspiritually，sotospeak，youaregoingawayfromusall？\'
Ursulaquivered。
`Idon\'tknowabitwhatisgoingtohappen，\'shesaid。`Ionlyknowwearegoingsomewhere。\'
Gudrunwaited。
`Andyouareglad？\'sheasked。
Ursulameditatedforamoment。
`IbelieveIamveryglad，\'shereplied。
ButGudrunreadtheunconsciousbrightnessonhersister\'sface，ratherthantheuncertaintonesofherspeech。
`Butdon\'tyouthinkyou\'llwanttheoldconnectionwiththeworld——fatherandtherestofus，andallthatitmeans，Englandandtheworldofthought——don\'tyouthinkyou\'llneedthat，reallytomakeaworld？\'
Ursulawassilent，tryingtoimagine。
`Ithink，\'shesaidatlength，involuntarily，`thatRupertisright——onewantsanewspacetobein，andonefallsawayfromtheold。\'
Gudrunwatchedhersisterwithimpassivefaceandsteadyeyes。
`Onewantsanewspacetobein，Iquiteagree，\'shesaid。`ButIthinkthatanewworldisadevelopmentfromthisworld，andthattoisolateoneselfwithoneotherperson，isn\'ttofindanewworldatall，butonlytosecureoneselfinone\'sillusions。\'
Ursulalookedoutofthewindow。Inhersoulshebegantowrestle，andshewasfrightened。Shewasalwaysfrightenedofwords，becausesheknewthatmereword—forcecouldalwaysmakeherbelievewhatshedidnotbelieve。
`Perhaps，\'shesaid，fullofmistrust，ofherselfandeverybody。`But，\'
sheadded，`Idothinkthatonecan\'thaveanythingnewwhilstonecaresfortheold——doyouknowwhatImean？——evenfightingtheoldisbelongingtoit。Iknow，oneistemptedtostopwiththeworld，justtofightit。
Butthenitisn\'tworthit。\'
Gudrunconsideredherself。
`Yes，\'shesaid。`Inaway，oneisoftheworldifonelivesinit。
Butisn\'titreallyanillusiontothinkyoucangetoutofit？Afterall，acottageintheAbruzzi，orwhereveritmaybe，isn\'tanewworld。No，theonlythingtodowiththeworld，istoseeitthrough。\'
Ursulalookedaway。Shewassofrightenedofargument。
`Buttherecanbesomethingelse，can\'tthere？\'shesaid。`Onecanseeitthroughinone\'ssoul，longenoughbeforeitseesitselfthroughinactuality。Andthen，whenonehasseenone\'ssoul，oneissomethingelse。\'
`Canoneseeitthroughinone\'ssoul？\'askedGudrun。`Ifyoumeanthatyoucanseetotheendofwhatwillhappen，Idon\'tagree。I
reallycan\'tagree。Andanyhow，youcan\'tsuddenlyflyoffontoanewplanet，becauseyouthinkyoucanseetotheendofthis。\'
Ursulasuddenlystraightenedherself。
`Yes，\'shesaid。`Yes——oneknows。Onehasnomoreconnectionshere。
Onehasasortofotherself，thatbelongstoanewplanet，nottothis。
You\'vegottohopoff。\'
Gudrunreflectedforafewmoments。Thenasmileofridicule，almostofcontempt，cameoverherface。
`Andwhatwillhappenwhenyoufindyourselfinspace？\'shecriedinderision。`Afterall，thegreatideasoftheworldarethesamethere。
Youaboveeverybodycan\'tgetawayfromthefactthatlove，forinstance，isthesupremething，inspaceaswellasonearth。\'
`No，\'saidUrsula，`itisn\'t。Loveistoohumanandlittle。Ibelieveinsomethinginhuman，ofwhichloveisonlyalittlepart。Ibelievewhatwemustfulfilcomesoutoftheunknowntous，anditissomethinginfinitelymorethanlove。Itisn\'tsomerelyhuman。\'
GudrunlookedatUrsulawithsteady，balancingeyes。Sheadmiredanddespisedhersistersomuch，both！Then，suddenlysheavertedherface，sayingcoldly，uglily:
`Well，I\'vegotnofurtherthanlove，yet。\'
OverUrsula\'smindflashedthethought:`Becauseyouneverhaveloved，youcan\'tgetbeyondit。\'
Gudrunrose，cameovertoUrsulaandputherarmroundherneck。
`Goandfindyournewworld，dear，\'shesaid，hervoiceclangingwithfalsebenignity。`Afterall，thehappiestvoyageisthequestofRupert\'sBlessedIsles。\'
HerarmrestedroundUrsula\'sneck，herfingersonUrsula\'scheekforafewmoments。Ursulawassupremelyuncomfortablemeanwhile。TherewasaninsultinGudrun\'sprotectivepatronagethatwasreallytoohurting。
Feelinghersister\'sresistance，Gudrundrewawkwardlyaway，turnedoverthepillow，anddisclosedthestockingsagain。
`Ha——ha！\'shelaughed，ratherhollowly。`Howwedotalkindeed——
newworldsandold——！\'
Andtheypassedtothefamiliarworldlysubjects。
GeraldandBirkinhadwalkedonahead，waitingforthesledgetoovertakethem，conveyingthedepartingguests。
`Howmuchlongerwillyoustayhere？\'askedBirkin，glancingupatGerald\'sveryred，almostblankface。
`Oh，Ican\'tsay，\'Geraldreplied。`Tillwegettiredofit。\'
`You\'renotafraidofthesnowmeltingfirst？\'askedBirkin。
Geraldlaughed。
`Doesitmelt？\'hesaid。
`Thingsareallrightwithyouthen？\'saidBirkin。
Geraldscreweduphiseyesalittle。
`Allright？\'hesaid。`Ineverknowwhatthosecommonwordsmean。Allrightandallwrong，don\'ttheybecomesynonymous，somewhere？\'
`Yes，Isuppose。Howaboutgoingback？\'askedBirkin。
`Oh，Idon\'tknow。Wemaynevergetback。Idon\'tlookbeforeandafter，\'
saidGerald。
`Norpineforwhatisnot，\'saidBirkin。
Geraldlookedintothedistance，withthesmall—pupilled，abstracteyesofahawk。
`No。There\'ssomethingfinalaboutthis。AndGudrunseemsliketheend，tome。Idon\'tknow——butsheseemssosoft，herskinlikesilk，herarmsheavyandsoft。Anditwithersmyconsciousness，somehow，itburnsthepithofmymind。\'Hewentonafewpaces，staringahead，hiseyesfixed，lookinglikeamaskusedinghastlyreligionsofthebarbarians。`Itblastsyoursoul\'seye，\'hesaid，`andleavesyousightless。Yetyouwanttobesightless，youwanttobeblasted，youdon\'twantitanydifferent。\'
Hewasspeakingasifinatrance，verbalandblank。Thensuddenlyhebracedhimselfupwithakindofrhapsody，andlookedatBirkinwithvindictive，cowedeyes，saying:
`Doyouknowwhatitistosufferwhenyouarewithawoman？She\'ssobeautiful，soperfect，youfindhersogood，ittearsyoulikeasilk，andeverystrokeandbitcutshot——ha，thatperfection，whenyoublastyourself，youblastyourself！Andthen——\'hestoppedonthesnowandsuddenlyopenedhisclenchedhands——`it\'snothing——yourbrainmighthavegonecharredasrags——and——\'helookedroundintotheairwithaqueerhistrionicmovement`it\'sblasting——youunderstandwhatImean——itisagreatexperience，somethingfinal——andthen——you\'reshrivelledasifstruckbyelectricity。\'Hewalkedoninsilence。Itseemedlikebragging，butlikeamaninextremitybraggingtruthfully。
