`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。