`No，really，it'simpossible！'Ursulawouldreplydistinctly。Andsothetwogirlstookitoutoftheiruniversalenemy。Buttheirfatherbecamemoreandmoreenraged。
　　Ursulawasallsnowywhite，savethatherhatwaspink，andentirelywithouttrimming，andhershoesweredarkred，andshecarriedanorange—colouredcoat。AndinthisguisetheywerewalkingallthewaytoShortlands，theirfatherandmothergoinginfront。
　　Theywerelaughingattheirmother，who，dressedinasummermaterialofblackandpurplestripes，andwearingahatofpurplestraw，wassettingforthwithmuchmoreoftheshynessandtrepidationofayounggirlthanherdaughterseverfelt，walkingdemurelybesideherhusband，who，asusual，lookedrathercrumpledinhisbestsuit，asifhewerethefatherofayoungfamilyandhadbeenholdingthebabywhilsthiswifegotdressed。
　　`Lookattheyoungcoupleinfront，'saidGudruncalmly。Ursulalookedathermotherandfather，andwassuddenlyseizedwithuncontrollablelaughter。
　　Thetwogirlsstoodintheroadandlaughedtillthetearsrandowntheirfaces，astheycaughtsightagainoftheshy，unworldlycoupleoftheirparentsgoingonahead。
　　`Weareroaringatyou，mother，'calledUrsula，helplesslyfollowingafterherparents。
　　MrsBrangwenturnedroundwithaslightlypuzzled，exasperatedlook。
　　`Ohindeed！'shesaid。`Whatistheresoveryfunnyaboutme，I
　　shouldliketoknow？'
　　Shecouldnotunderstandthattherecouldbeanythingamisswithherappearance。Shehadaperfectcalmsufficiency，aneasyindifferencetoanycriticismwhatsoever，asifshewerebeyondit。Herclotheswerealwaysratherodd，andasaruleslip—shod，yetsheworethemwithaperfecteaseandsatisfaction。Whatevershehadon，solongasshewasbarelytidy，shewasright，beyondremark;suchanaristocratshewasbyinstinct。
　　`Youlooksostately，likeacountryBaroness，'saidUrsula，laughingwithalittletendernessathermother'snaivepuzzledair。
　　`JustlikeacountryBaroness！'chimedinGudrun。Nowthemother'snaturalhauteurbecameself—conscious，andthegirlsshriekedagain。
　　`Gohome，youpairofidiots，greatgigglingidiots！'criedthefatherinflamedwithirritation。
　　`Mm—m—er！'booedUrsula，pullingafaceathiscrossness。
　　Theyellowlightsdancedinhiseyes，heleanedforwardinrealrage。
　　`Don'tbesosillyastotakeanynoticeofthegreatgabies，'saidMrsBrangwen，turningonherway。
　　`I'llseeifI'mgoingtobefollowedbyapairofgigglingyellingjackanapes——'hecriedvengefully。
　　Thegirlsstoodstill，laughinghelplesslyathisfury，uponthepathbesidethehedge。
　　`Whyyou'reassillyastheyare，totakeanynotice，'saidMrsBrangwenalsobecomingangrynowhewasreallyenraged。
　　`Therearesomepeoplecoming，father，'criedUrsula，withmockingwarning。
　　Heglancedroundquickly，andwentontojoinhiswife，walkingstiffwithrage。Andthegirlsfollowed，weakwithlaughter。
　　Whenthepeoplehadpassedby，Brangwencriedinaloud，stupidvoice:
　　`I'mgoingbackhomeifthere'sanymoreofthis。I'mdamnedifI'mgoingtobemadeafoolofinthisfashion，inthepublicroad。'
　　Hewasreallyoutoftemper。Atthesoundofhisblind，vindictivevoice，thelaughtersuddenlyleftthegirls，andtheirheartscontractedwithcontempt。Theyhatedhiswords`inthepublicroad。'Whatdidtheycareforthepublicroad？ButGudrunwasconciliatory。
　　`Butweweren'tlaughingtohurtyou，'shecried，withanuncouthgentlenesswhichmadeherparentsuncomfortable。`Wewerelaughingbecausewe'refondofyou。'
　　`We'llwalkoninfront，iftheyaresotouchy，'saidUrsula，angry。AndinthiswisetheyarrivedatWilleyWater。Thelakewasblueandfair，themeadowsslopeddowninsunshineononeside，thethickdarkwoodsdroppedsteeplyontheother。Thelittlepleasure—launchwasfussingoutfromtheshore，twangingitsmusic，crowdedwithpeople，flappingitspaddles。Neartheboat—housewasathrongofgaily—dressedpersons，smallinthedistance。Andonthehigh—road，someofthecommonpeoplewerestandingalongthehedge，lookingatthefestivitybeyond，enviously，likesoulsnotadmittedtoparadise。
　　`Myeye！'saidGudrun，sottovoce，lookingatthemotleyofguests，`there'saprettycrowdifyoulike！Imagineyourselfinthemidstofthat，mydear。'
　　Gudrun'sapprehensivehorrorofpeopleinthemassunnervedUrsula。
　　`Itlooksratherawful，'shesaidanxiously。
　　`Andimaginewhatthey'llbelike——imagine！'saidGudrun，stillinthatunnerving，subduedvoice。Yetsheadvanceddeterminedly。
　　`Isupposewecangetawayfromthem，'saidUrsulaanxiously。
　　`We'reinaprettyfixifwecan't，'saidGudrun。HerextremeironicloathingandapprehensionwasverytryingtoUrsula。
　　`Weneedn'tstay，'shesaid。
　　`Icertainlyshan'tstayfiveminutesamongthatlittlelot，'saidGudrun。
　　Theyadvancednearer，tilltheysawpolicemenatthegates。
　　`Policementokeepyouin，too！'saidGudrun。`Myword，thisisabeautifulaffair。'
　　`We'dbetterlookafterfatherandmother，'saidUrsulaanxiously。
　　`Mother'sperfectlycapableofgettingthroughthislittlecelebration，'
　　saidGudrunwithsomecontempt。
　　ButUrsulaknewthatherfatherfeltuncouthandangryandunhappy，soshewasfarfromherease。Theywaitedoutsidethegatetilltheirparentscameup。Thetall，thinmaninhiscrumpledclotheswasunnervedandirritableasaboy，findinghimselfonthebrinkofthissocialfunction。Hedidnotfeelagentleman，hedidnotfeelanythingexceptpureexasperation。
　　Ursulatookherplaceathisside，theygavetheirticketstothepoliceman，andpassedinontothegrass，fourabreast;thetall，hot，ruddy—darkmanwithhisnarrowboyishbrowdrawnwithirritation，thefresh—faced，easywoman，perfectlycollectedthoughherhairwasslippingononeside，thenGudrun，hereyesroundanddarkandstaring，herfullsoftfaceimpassive，almostsulky，sothatsheseemedtobebackingawayinantagonismevenwhilstshewasadvancing;andthenUrsula，withtheodd，brilliant，dazzledlookonherface，thatalwayscamewhenshewasinsomefalsesituation。
　　Birkinwasthegoodangel。Hecamesmilingtothemwithhisaffectedsocialgrace，thatsomehowwasneverquiteright。Buthetookoffhishatandsmiledatthemwitharealsmileinhiseyes，sothatBrangwencriedoutheartilyinrelief:
　　`Howdoyoudo？You'rebetter，areyou？'
　　`Yes，I'mbetter。Howdoyoudo，MrsBrangwen？IknowGudrunandUrsulaverywell。'
　　Hiseyessmiledfullofnaturalwarmth。Hehadasoft，flatteringmannerwithwomen，particularlywithwomenwhowerenotyoung。
　　`Yes，'saidMrsBrangwen，coolbutyetgratified。`Ihaveheardthemspeakofyouoftenenough。'
　　Helaughed。Gudrunlookedaside，feelingshewasbeingbelittled。Peoplewerestandingaboutingroups，somewomenweresittingintheshadeofthewalnuttree，withcupsofteaintheirhands，awaiterineveningdresswashurryinground，somegirlsweresimperingwithparasols，someyoungmen，whohadjustcomeinfromrowing，weresittingcross—leggedonthegrass，coatless，theirshirt—sleevesrolledupinmanlyfashion，theirhandsrestingontheirwhiteflanneltrousers，theirgaudytiesfloatingabout，astheylaughedandtriedtobewittywiththeyoungdamsels。
　　`Why，'thoughtGudrunchurlishly，`don'ttheyhavethemannerstoputtheircoatson，andnottoassumesuchintimacyintheirappearance。'
　　Sheabhorredtheordinaryyoungman，withhishairplasteredback，andhiseasy—goingchumminess。
　　HermioneRoddicecameup，inahandsomegownofwhitelace，trailinganenormoussilkshawlblotchedwithgreatembroideredflowers，andbalancinganenormousplainhatonherhead。Shelookedstriking，astonishing，almostmacabre，sotall，withthefringeofhergreatcream—colouredvividly—blotchedshawltrailingonthegroundafterher，herthickhaircominglowoverhereyes，herfacestrangeandlongandpale，andtheblotchesofbrilliantcolourdrawnroundher。
　　`Doesn'tshelookweird！'Gudrunheardsomegirlstitterbehindher。Andshecouldhavekilledthem。
　　`Howdoyoudo！'sangHermione，comingupverykindly，andglancingslowlyoverGudrun'sfatherandmother。Itwasatryingmoment，exasperatingforGudrun。Hermionewasreallysostronglyentrenchedinherclasssuperiority，shecouldcomeupandknowpeopleoutofsimplecuriosity，asiftheywerecreaturesonexhibition。Gudrunwoulddothesameherself。Butsheresentedbeinginthepositionwhensomebodymightdoittoher。
　　Hermione，veryremarkable，anddistinguishingtheBrangwensverymuch，ledthemalongtowhereLauraCrichstoodreceivingtheguests。
　　`ThisisMrsBrangwen，'sangHermione，andLaura，whoworeastiffembroideredlinendress，shookhandsandsaidshewasgladtoseeher。ThenGeraldcameup，dressedinwhite，withablackandbrownblazer，andlookinghandsome。
　　HetoowasintroducedtotheBrangwenparents，andimmediatelyhespoketoMrsBrangwenasifshewerealady，andtoBrangwenasifhewerenotagentleman。Gerladwassoobviousinhisdemeanour。Hehadtoshakehandswithhislefthand，becausehehadhurthisright，andcarriedit，bandagedup，inthepocketofhisjacket。Gudrunwasverythankfulthatnoneofherpartyaskedhimwhatwasthematterwiththehand。
　　Thesteamlaunchwasfussingin，allitsmusicjingling，peoplecallingexcitedlyfromonboard。Geraldwenttoseetothedebarkation，BirkinwasgettingteaforMrsBrangwen，BrangwenhadjoinedaGrammar—Schoolgroup，Hermionewassittingdownbytheirmother，thegirlswenttothelanding—stagetowatchthelaunchcomein。
　　Shehootedandtootedgaily，thenherpaddlesweresilent，theropeswerethrownashore，shedriftedinwithalittlebump。Immediatelythepassengerscrowdedexcitedlytocomeashore。
　　`Waitaminute，waitaminute，'shoutedGeraldinsharpcommand。
　　Theymustwaittilltheboatwastightontheropes，tillthesmallgangwaywasputout。Thentheystreamedashore，clamouringasiftheyhadcomefromAmerica。
　　`Ohit'ssonice！'theyounggirlswerecrying。`It'squitelovely。'
　　Thewaitersfromonboardranouttotheboat—housewithbaskets，thecaptainloungedonthelittlebridge。Seeingallsafe，GeraldcametoGudrunandUrsula。
　　`Youwouldn'tcaretogoonboardforthenexttrip，andhaveteathere？'
　　heasked。
　　`Nothanks，'saidGudruncoldly。
　　`Youdon'tcareforthewater？'
　　`Forthewater？Yes，Ilikeitverymuch。'
　　Helookedather，hiseyessearching。
　　`Youdon'tcareforgoingonalaunch，then？'
　　Shewasslowinanswering，andthenshespokeslowly。
　　`No，'shesaid。`Ican'tsaythatIdo。'Hercolourwashigh，sheseemedangryaboutsomething。
　　`Unpeutropdemonde，'saidUrsula，explaining。
　　`Eh？Tropdemonde！'Helaughedshortly。`Yesthere'safairnumberof'em。'
　　Gudrunturnedonhimbrilliantly。
　　`HaveyoueverbeenfromWestminsterBridgetoRichmondononeoftheThamessteamers？'shecried。
　　`No，'hesaid，`Ican'tsayIhave。'
　　`Well，it'soneofthemostvileexperiencesI'veeverhad。'
　　Shespokerapidlyandexcitedly，thecolourhighinhercheeks。`Therewasabsolutelynowheretositdown，nowhere，amanjustabovesang"RockedintheCradleoftheDeep"thewholeway;hewasblindandhehadasmallorgan，oneofthoseportableorgans，andheexpectedmoney;soyoucanimaginewhatthatwaslike;therecameaconstantsmellofluncheonfrombelow，andpuffsofhotoilymachinery;thejourneytookhoursandhoursandhours;andformiles，literallyformiles，dreadfulboysranwithusontheshore，inthatawfulThamesmud，goinginuptothewaist——theyhadtheirtrousersturnedback，andtheywentuptotheirhipsinthatindescribableThamesmud，theirfacesalwaysturnedtous，andscreaming，exactlylikecarrioncreatures，screaming"'Erey'aresir，'erey'aresir，'erey'aresir，"exactlylikesomefoulcarrionobjects，perfectlyobscene;andpaterfamiliasonboard，laughingwhentheboyswentrightdowninthatawfulmud，occasionallythrowingthemaha'penny。Andifyou'dseentheintentlookonthefacesoftheseboys，andthewaytheydartedinthefilthwhenacoinwasflung——really，novultureorjackalcoulddreamofapproachingthem，forfoulness。Ineverwouldgoonapleasureboatagain——never。'
　　Geraldwatchedherallthetimeshespoke，hiseyesglitteringwithfaintrousedness。Itwasnotsomuchwhatshesaid;itwassheherselfwhorousedhim，rousedhimwithasmall，vividpricking。
　　`Ofcourse，'hesaid，`everycivilisedbodyisboundtohaveitsvermin。'
　　`Why？'criedUrsula。`Idon'thavevermin。'
　　`Andit'snotthat——it'sthequalityofthewholething——
　　paterfamiliaslaughingandthinkingitsport，andthrowingtheha'pennies，andmaterfamiliasspreadingherfatlittlekneesandeating，continuallyeating——'repliedGudrun。
　　`Yes，'saidUrsula。`Itisn'ttheboyssomuchwhoarevermin;it'sthepeoplethemselves，thewholebodypolitic，asyoucallit。'
　　Geraldlaughed。
　　`Nevermind，'hesaid。`Youshan'tgoonthelaunch。'
　　Gudrunflushedquicklyathisrebuke。
　　Therewereafewmomentsofsilence。Gerald，likeasentinel，waswatchingthepeoplewhoweregoingontotheboat。Hewasverygood—lookingandself—contained，buthisairofsoldierlyalertnesswasratherirritating。
　　`Willyouhaveteaherethen，orgoacrosstothehouse，wherethere'satentonthelawn？'heasked。
　　`Can'twehavearowingboat，andgetout？'askedUrsula，whowasalwaysrushingintoofast。
　　`Togetout？'smiledGerald。
　　`Yousee，'criedGudrun，flushingatUrsula'soutspokenrudeness，`wedon'tknowthepeople，wearealmostcompletestrangershere。'
　　`Oh，Icansoonsetyouupwithafewacquaintances，'hesaideasily。
　　Gudrunlookedathim，toseeifitwereill—meant。Thenshesmiledathim。
　　`Ah，'shesaid，`youknowwhatwemean。Can'twegoupthere，andexplorethatcoast？'Shepointedtoagroveonthehillockofthemeadow—side，neartheshorehalfwaydownthelake。`Thatlooksperfectlylovely。Wemightevenbathe。Isn'titbeautifulinthislight。Really，it'slikeoneofthereachesoftheNile——asoneimaginestheNile。'
　　Geraldsmiledatherfactitiousenthusiasmforthedistantspot。
　　`You'resureit'sfarenoughoff？'heaskedironically，addingatonce:
　　`Yes，youmightgothere，ifwecouldgetaboat。Theyseemtobeallout。'
　　Helookedroundthelakeandcountedtherowingboatsonitssurface。
　　`Howlovelyitwouldbe！'criedUrsulawistfully。
　　`Anddon'tyouwanttea？'hesaid。
　　`Oh，'saidGudrun，`wecouldjustdrinkacup，andbeoff。'
　　Helookedfromonetotheother，smiling。Hewassomewhatoffended——
　　yetsporting。
　　`Canyoumanageaboatprettywell？'heasked。
　　`Yes，'repliedGudrun，coldly，`prettywell。'
　　`Ohyes，'criedUrsula。`Wecanbothofusrowlikewater—spiders。'
　　`Youcan？There'slightlittlecanoeofmine，thatIdidn'ttakeoutforfearsomebodyshoulddrownthemselves。Doyouthinkyou'dbesafeinthat？'
　　`Ohperfectly，'saidGudrun。
　　`Whatanangel！'criedUrsula。
　　`Don't，formysake，haveanaccident——becauseI'mresponsibleforthewater。'
　　`Sure，'pledgedGudrun。
　　`Besides，wecanbothswimquitewell，'saidUrsula。
　　`Well——thenI'llgetthemtoputyouupatea—basket，andyoucanpicnicalltoyourselves，——that'stheidea，isn'tit？'
　　`Howfearfullygood！Howfrightfullyniceifyoucould！'criedGudrunwarmly，hercolourflushingupagain。Itmadethebloodstirinhisveins，thesubtlewaysheturnedtohimandinfusedhergratitudeintohisbody。
　　`Where'sBirkin？'hesaid，hiseyestwinkling。`Hemighthelpmetogetitdown。'
　　`Butwhataboutyourhand？Isn'tithurt？'askedGudrun，rathermuted，asifavoidingtheintimacy。Thiswasthefirsttimethehurthadbeenmentioned。Thecuriouswaysheskirtedroundthesubjectsentanew，subtlecaressthroughhisveins。Hetookhishandoutofhispocket。Itwasbandaged。
　　Helookedatit，thenputitinhispocketagain。Gudrunquiveredatthesightofthewrappeduppaw。
　　`OhIcanmanagewithonehand。Thecanoeisaslightasafeather，'
　　hesaid。`There'sRupert！——Rupert！'
　　Birkinturnedfromhissocialdutiesandcametowardsthem。
　　`Whathaveyoudonetoit？'askedUrsula，whohadbeenachingtoputthequestionforthelasthalfhour。
　　`Tomyhand？'saidGerald。`Itrappeditinsomemachinery。'
　　`Ugh！'saidUrsula。`Anddidithurtmuch？'
　　`Yes，'hesaid。`Itdidatthetime。It'sgettingbetternow。Itcrushedthefingers。'
　　`Oh，'criedUrsula，asifinpain，`Ihatepeoplewhohurtthemselves。
　　Icanfeelit。'Andsheshookherhand。
　　`Whatdoyouwant？'saidBirkin。
　　Thetwomencarrieddowntheslimbrownboat，andsetitonthewater。
　　`You'requitesureyou'llbesafeinit？'Geraldasked。
　　`Quitesure，'saidGudrun。`Iwouldn'tbesomeanastotakeit，iftherewastheslightestdoubt。ButI'vehadacanoeatArundel，andIassureyouI'mperfectlysafe。'
　　Sosaying，havinggivenherwordlikeaman，sheandUrsulaenteredthefrailcraft，andpushedgentlyoff。Thetwomenstoodwatchingthem。
　　Gudrunwaspaddling。Sheknewthemenwerewatchingher，anditmadeherslowandratherclumsy。Thecolourflewinherfacelikeaflag。
　　`Thanksawfully，'shecalledbacktohim，fromthewater，astheboatslidaway。`It'slovely——likesittinginaleaf。'
　　Helaughedatthefancy。Hervoicewasshrillandstrange，callingfromthedistance。Hewatchedherasshepaddledaway。Therewassomethingchildlikeabouther，trustfulanddeferential，likeachild。Hewatchedherallthewhile，assherowed。AndtoGudrunitwasarealdelight，inmake—belief，tobethechildlike，clingingwomantothemanwhostoodthereonthequay，sogood—lookingandefficientinhiswhiteclothes，andmoreoverthemostimportantmansheknewatthemoment。Shedidnottakeanynoticeofthewavering，indistinct，lambentBirkin，whostoodathisside。Onefigureatatimeoccupiedthefieldofherattention。
　　Theboatrustledlightlyalongthewater。Theypassedthebatherswhosestripedtentsstoodbetweenthewillowsofthemeadow'sedge，anddrewalongtheopenshore，pastthemeadowsthatslopedgoldeninthelightofthealreadylateafternoon。Otherboatswerestealingunderthewoodedshoreopposite，theycouldhearpeople'slaughterandvoices。ButGudrunrowedontowardstheclumpoftreesthatbalancedperfectinthedistance，inthegoldenlight。
　　Thesistersfoundalittleplacewhereatinystreamflowedintothelake，withreedsandflowerymarshofpinkwillowherb，andagravellybanktotheside。Heretheyrandelicatelyashore，withtheirfrailboat，thetwogirlstookofftheirshoesandstockingsandwentthroughthewater'sedgetothegrass。Thetinyripplesofthelakewerewarmandclear，theyliftedtheirboatontothebank，andlookedroundwithjoy。Theywerequitealoneinaforsakenlittlestream—mouth，andontheknolljustbehindwastheclumpoftrees。
　　`Wewillbathejustforamoment，'saidUrsula，`andthenwe'llhavetea。'
　　Theylookedround。Nobodycouldnoticethem，orcouldcomeupintimetoseethem。InlessthanaminuteUrsulahadthrownoffherclothesandhadslippednakedintothewater，andwasswimmingout。Quickly，Gudrunjoinedher。Theyswamsilentlyandblissfullyforafewminutes，circlingroundtheirlittlestream—mouth。Thentheyslippedashoreandranintothegroveagain，likenymphs。
　　`Howlovelyitistobefree，'saidUrsula，runningswiftlyhereandtherebetweenthetreetrunks，quitenaked，herhairblowingloose。Thegrovewasofbeech—trees，bigandsplendid，asteel—greyscaffoldingoftrunksandboughs，withlevelspraysofstronggreenhereandthere，whilstthroughthenorthernsidethedistanceglimmeredopenasthroughawindow。
　　Whentheyhadrunanddancedthemselvesdry，thegirlsquicklydressedandsatdowntothefragranttea。Theysatonthenorthernsideofthegrove，intheyellowsunshinefacingtheslopeofthegrassyhill，aloneinalittlewildworldoftheirown。Theteawashotandaromatic，thereweredeliciouslittlesandwichesofcucumberandofcaviare，andwinycakes。
　　`Areyouhappy，Prune？'criedUrsulaindelight，lookingathersister。
　　`Ursula，I'mperfectlyhappy，'repliedGudrungravely，lookingatthewesteringsun。
　　`SoamI。'
　　Whentheyweretogether，doingthethingstheyenjoyed，thetwosisterswerequitecompleteinaperfectworldoftheirown。Andthiswasoneoftheperfectmomentsoffreedomanddelight，suchaschildrenaloneknow，whenallseemsaperfectandblissfuladventure。
　　Whentheyhadfinishedtea，thetwogirlssaton，silentandserene。
　　ThenUrsula，whohadabeautifulstrongvoice，begantosingtoherself，softly:`AnnchenvonTharau。'Gudrunlistened，asshesatbeneaththetrees，andtheyearningcameintoherheart。Ursulaseemedsopeacefulandsufficientuntoherself，sittingthereunconsciouslycrooninghersong，strongandunquestionedatthecentreofherownuniverse。AndGudrunfeltherselfoutside。Alwaysthisdesolating，agonisedfeeling，thatshewasoutsideoflife，anonlooker，whilstUrsulawasapartaker，causedGudruntosufferfromasenseofherownnegation，andmadeher，thatshemustalwaysdemandtheothertobeawareofher，tobeinconnectionwithher。
　　`DoyoumindifIdoDalcrozetothattune，Hurtler？'sheaskedinacuriousmutedtone，scarcemovingherlips。
　　`Whatdidyousay？'askedUrsula，lookingupinpeacefulsurprise。
　　`WillyousingwhileIdoDalcroze？'saidGudrun，sufferingathavingtorepeatherself。
　　Ursulathoughtamoment，gatheringherstrayingwitstogether。
　　`Whileyoudo——？'sheaskedvaguely。
　　`Dalcrozemovements，'saidGudrun，sufferingtorturesofself—consciousness，evenbecauseofhersister。
　　`OhDalcroze！Icouldn'tcatchthename。Do——Ishouldlovetoseeyou，'criedUrsula，withchildishsurprisedbrightness。`WhatshallIsing？'
　　`Singanythingyoulike，andI'lltaketherhythmfromit。'
　　ButUrsulacouldnotforherlifethinkofanythingtosing。However，shesuddenlybegan，inalaughing，teasingvoice:
　　`Mylove——isahigh—bornlady——'
　　Gudrun，lookingasifsomeinvisiblechainweighedonherhandsandfeet，beganslowlytodanceintheeurythmicmanner，pulsingandflutteringrhythmicallywithherfeet，makingslower，regulargestureswithherhandsandarms，nowspreadingherarmswide，nowraisingthemaboveherhead，nowflingingthemsoftlyapart，andliftingherface，herfeetallthetimebeatingandrunningtothemeasureofthesong，asifitweresomestrangeincantation，herwhite，raptformdriftinghereandthereinastrangeimpulsiverhapsody，seemingtobeliftedonabreezeofincantation，shudderingwithstrangelittleruns。Ursulasatonthegrass，hermouthopeninhersinging，hereyeslaughingasifshethoughtitwasagreatjoke，butayellowlightflashingupinthem，asshecaughtsomeoftheunconsciousritualisticsuggestionofthecomplexshudderingandwavinganddriftingofhersister'swhiteform，thatwasclutchedinpure，mindless，tossingrhythm，andawillsetpowerfulinakindofhypnoticinfluence。
　　`Myloveisahigh—bornlady——Sheis—s—s——ratherdarkthanshady——'rangoutUrsula'slaughing，satiricsong，andquicker，fiercerwentGudruninthedance，stampingasifsheweretryingtothrowoffsomebond，flingingherhandssuddenlyandstampingagain，thenrushingwithfaceupliftedandthroatfullandbeautiful，andeyeshalfclosed，sightless。
　　Thesunwaslowandyellow，sinkingdown，andintheskyfloatedathin，ineffectualmoon。
　　Ursulawasquiteabsorbedinhersong，whensuddenlyGudrunstoppedandsaidmildly，ironically:
　　`Ursula！'
　　`Yes？'saidUrsula，openinghereyesoutofthetrance。
　　Gudrunwasstandingstillandpointing，amockingsmileonherface，towardstheside。
　　`Ugh！'criedUrsulainsuddenpanic，startingtoherfeet。
　　`They'requiteallright，'rangoutGudrun'ssardonicvoice。
　　OntheleftstoodalittleclusterofHighlandcattle，vividlycolouredandfleecyintheeveninglight，theirhornsbranchingintothesky，pushingforwardtheirmuzzlesinquisitively，toknowwhatitwasallabout。Theireyesglitteredthroughtheirtangleofhair，theirnakednostrilswerefullofshadow。
　　`Won'ttheydoanything？'criedUrsulainfear。
　　Gudrun，whowasusuallyfrightenedofcattle，nowshookherheadinaqueer，half—doubtful，half—sardonicmotion，afaintsmileroundhermouth。
　　`Don'ttheylookcharming，Ursula？'criedGudrun，inahigh，stridentvoice，somethinglikethescreamofaseagull。
　　`Charming，'criedUrsulaintrepidation。`Butwon'ttheydoanythingtous？'
　　AgainGudrunlookedbackathersisterwithanenigmaticsmile，andshookherhead。
　　`I'msuretheywon't，'shesaid，asifshehadtoconvinceherselfalso，andyet，asifshewereconfidentofsomesecretpowerinherself，andhadtoputittothetest。`Sitdownandsingagain，'shecalledinherhigh，stridentvoice。
　　`I'mfrightened，'criedUrsula，inapatheticvoice，watchingthegroupofsturdyshortcattle，thatstoodwiththeirkneesplanted，andwatchedwiththeirdark，wickedeyes，throughthemattedfringeoftheirhair。
　　Nevertheless，shesankdownagain，inherformerposture。
　　`Theyarequitesafe，'cameGudrun'shighcall。`Singsomething，you'veonlytosingsomething。'
　　Itwasevidentshehadastrangepassiontodancebeforethesturdy，handsomecattle。
　　Ursulabegantosing，inafalsequaveringvoice:
　　`WaydowninTennessee——'
　　Shesoundedpurelyanxious。Nevertheless，Gudrun，withherarmsoutspreadandherfaceuplifted，wentinastrangepalpitatingdancetowardsthecattle，liftingherbodytowardsthemasifinaspell，herfeetpulsingasifinsomelittlefrenzyofunconscioussensation，herarms，herwrists，herhandsstretchingandheavingandfallingandreachingandreachingandfalling，herbreastsliftedandshakentowardsthecattle，herthroatexposedasinsomevoluptuousecstasytowardsthem，whilstshedriftedimperceptiblynearer，anuncannywhitefigure，towardsthem，carriedawayinitsownrapttrance，ebbinginstrangefluctuationsuponthecattle，thatwaited，andduckedtheirheadsalittleinsuddencontractionfromher，watchingallthetimeasifhypnotised，theirbarehornsbranchingintheclearlight，asthewhitefigureofthewomanebbeduponthem，intheslow，hypnotisingconvulsionofthedance。Shecouldfeelthemjustinfrontofher，itwasasifshehadtheelectricpulsefromtheirbreastsrunningintoherhands。Soonshewouldtouchthem，actuallytouchthem。
　　Aterribleshiveroffearandpleasurewentthroughher。Andallthewhile，Ursula，spell—bound，keptupherhigh—pitchedthin，irrelevantsong，whichpiercedthefadingeveninglikeanincantation。
　　Gudruncouldhearthecattlebreathingheavilywithhelplessfearandfascination。Oh，theywerebravelittlebeasts，thesewildScotchbullocks，wildandfleecy。Suddenlyoneofthemsnorted，duckeditshead，andbacked。