Claralookedatherloverclosely。Therewassomethinginhim，shehated，asortofdetachedcriticismofherself，acoldness，whichmadeherwoman’ssoulhardenagainsthim。
　　“Andwhatareyougoingtodo？”sheasked。
　　“How？”
　　“AboutBaxter。”
　　“There’snothingtodo，isthere？”hereplied。
　　“Youcanfighthimifyouhaveto，Isuppose？”shesaid。
　　“No;Ihaven’ttheleastsenseofthe’fist’。It’sfunny。
　　Withmostmenthere’stheinstincttoclenchthefistandhit。
　　It’snotsowithme。Ishouldwantaknifeorapistolorsomething，tofightwith。”
　　“Thenyou’dbettercarrysomething，“shesaid。
　　“Nay，“helaughed;“I’mnotdaggeroso。”
　　“Buthe’lldosomethingtoyou。Youdon’tknowhim。”
　　“Allright，“hesaid，“we’llsee。”
　　“Andyou’lllethim？”
　　“Perhaps，ifIcan’thelpit。”
　　“Andifhekillsyou？”shesaid。
　　“Ishouldbesorry，forhissakeandmine。”
　　Clarawassilentforamoment。
　　“YouDOmakemeangry！”sheexclaimed。
　　“That’snothingafresh，“helaughed。
　　“Butwhyareyousosilly？，Youdon’tknowhim。”
　　“Anddon’twant。”
　　“Yes，butyou’renotgoingtoletamandoashelikeswithyou？”
　　“WhatmustIdo？”hereplied，laughing。
　　“Ishouldcarryarevolver，“shesaid。”I’msurehe’sdangerous。”
　　“Imightblowmyfingersoff，“hesaid。
　　“No;butwon’tyou？”shepleaded。
　　“No。”
　　“Notanything？”
　　“No。”
　　“Andyou’llleavehimto——？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Youareafool！”
　　“Fact！”
　　Shesetherteethwithanger。
　　“IcouldSHAKEyou！”shecried，tremblingwithpassion。
　　“Why？”
　　“LetamanlikeHIMdoashelikeswithyou。”
　　“Youcangobacktohimifhetriumphs，“hesaid。
　　“Doyouwantmetohateyou？”sheasked。
　　“Well，Ionlytellyou，“hesaid。
　　“AndYOUsayyouLOVEme！”sheexclaimed，lowandindignant。
　　“OughtItoslayhimtopleaseyou？”hesaid。”ButifIdid，seewhataholdhe’dhaveoverme。”
　　“DoyouthinkI’mafool！”sheexclaimed。
　　“Notatall。Butyoudon’tunderstandme，mydear。”
　　Therewasapausebetweenthem。
　　“ButyououghtNOTtoexposeyourself，“shepleaded。
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。
　　“’Themaninrighteousnessarrayed，Thepureandblamelessliver，NeedsnotthekeenToledoblade，Norvenom-freightedquiver，’“
　　hequoted。
　　Shelookedathimsearchingly。
　　“IwishIcouldunderstandyou，“shesaid。
　　“There’ssimplynothingtounderstand，“helaughed。
　　Shebowedherhead，brooding。
　　HedidnotseeDawesforseveraldays;thenonemorningashe，ranupstairsfromtheSpiralroomhealmostcollidedwiththeburly，metal-worker。
　　“Whatthe——！”criedthesmith。
　　“Sorry！”saidPaul，andpassedon。
　　“SORRY！”sneeredDawes。
　　Paulwhistledlightly，“PutMeamongtheGirls“。
　　“I’llstopyourwhistle，myjockey！”hesaid。
　　Theothertooknonotice。
　　“You’regoin’toanswerforthatjoboftheothernight。”
　　Paulwenttohisdeskinhiscorner，andturnedovertheleaves，oftheledger。
　　“GoandtellFannyIwantorder097，quick！”hesaidtohisboy。
　　Dawesstoodinthedoorway，tallandthreatening，lookingat，thetopoftheyoungman’shead。
　　“Sixandfive’selevenandseven’sone-and-six，“Pauladdedaloud。
　　“An’youhear，doyou！”saidDawes。
　　“FIVEANDNINEPENCE！”Hewroteafigure。”What’sthat？”
　　hesaid。
　　“I’mgoingtoshowyouwhatitis，“saidthesmith。
　　Theotherwentonaddingthefiguresaloud。
　　“Yercrawlin’little——，yerdaresn’tfacemeproper！”
　　Paulquicklysnatchedtheheavyruler。Dawesstarted。
　　Theyoungmanruledsomelinesinhisledger。Theelderman，wasinfuriated。
　　“ButwaittillIlightonyou，nomatterwhereitis，I’llsettleyourhashforabit，yerlittleswine！”
　　“Allright，“saidPaul。
　　Atthatthesmithstartedheavilyfromthedoorway。Justthen，awhistlepipedshrilly。Paulwenttothespeaking-tube。
　　“Yes！”hesaid，andhelistened。”Er——yes！”Helistened，thenhelaughed。”I’llcomedowndirectly。I’vegotavisitor，justnow。”
　　DawesknewfromhistonethathehadbeenspeakingtoClara。
　　Hesteppedforward。
　　“Yerlittledevil！”hesaid。”I’llvisitoryou，insideof，twominutes！，ThinkI’mgoin’tohaveYOUwhipperty-snappin’round？”
　　Theotherclerksinthewarehouselookedup。Paul’soffice-boy，appeared，holdingsomewhitearticle。
　　“Fannysaysyoucouldhavehaditlastnightifyou’dlet，herknow，“hesaid。
　　“Allright，“answeredPaul，lookingatthestocking。
　　“Getitoff。”，Dawesstoodfrustrated，helplesswithrage。
　　Morelturnedround。
　　“Excusemeaminute，“hesaidtoDawes，andhewouldhave，rundownstairs。
　　“ByGod，I’llstopyourgallop！”shoutedthesmith，seizinghim，bythearm。Heturnedquickly。
　　“Hey！，Hey！”criedtheoffice-boy，alarmed。
　　ThomasJordanstartedoutofhislittleglassoffice，andcame，runningdowntheroom。
　　“What’sa-matter，what’sa-matter？”hesaid，inhisoldman’s，sharpvoice。
　　“I’mjustgoin’tersettlethislittle——，that’sall，“
　　saidDawesdesperately。
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”snappedThomasJordan。
　　“WhatIsay，“saidDawes，buthehungfire。
　　Morelwasleaningagainstthecounter，ashamed，half-grinning。
　　“What’sitallabout？”snappedThomasJordan。
　　“Couldn’tsay，“saidPaul，shakinghisheadandshrugging，hisshoulders。
　　“Couldn’tyer，couldn’tyer！”criedDawes，thrustingforward，hishandsome，furiousface，andsquaringhisfist。
　　“Haveyoufinished？”criedtheoldman，strutting。”Getoff，aboutyourbusiness，anddon’tcomeheretipsyinthemorning。”
　　Dawesturnedhisbigframeslowlyuponhim。
　　“Tipsy！”hesaid。”Who’stipsy？，I’mnomoretipsythan，YOUare！”
　　“We’veheardthatsongbefore，“snappedtheoldman。”Nowyou，getoff，anddon’tbelongaboutit。Comin’HEREwithyourrowdying。”
　　Thesmithlookeddowncontemptuouslyonhisemployer。
　　Hishands，large，andgrimy，andyetwellshapedforhislabour，workedrestlessly。PaulrememberedtheywerethehandsofClara’s，husband，andaflashofhatewentthroughhim。
　　“Getoutbeforeyou’returnedout！”snappedThomasJordan。
　　“Why，who’llturnmeout？”saidDawes，beginningtosneer。
　　Mr。Jordanstarted，marcheduptothesmith，wavinghimoff，thrustinghisstoutlittlefigureattheman，saying：
　　“Getoffmypremises——getoff！”
　　HeseizedandtwitchedDawes’sarm。
　　“Comeoff！”saidthesmith，andwithajerkoftheelbowhe，sentthelittlemanufacturerstaggeringbackwards。
　　Beforeanyonecouldhelphim，ThomasJordanhadcollided，withtheflimsyspring-door。Ithadgivenway，andlethimcrash，downthehalf-dozenstepsintoFanny’sroom。Therewasasecond，ofamazement;thenmenandgirlswererunning。Dawesstoodamoment，lookingbitterlyonthescene，thenhetookhisdeparture。
　　ThomasJordanwasshakenandbraised，nototherwisehurt。
　　Hewas，however，besidehimselfwithrage。HedismissedDawesfrom，hisemployment，andsummonedhimforassault。
　　AtthetrialPaulMorelhadtogiveevidence。Askedhow，thetroublebegan，hesaid：
　　“DawestookoccasiontoinsultMrs。DawesandmebecauseI
　　accompaniedhertothetheatreoneevening;thenIthrewsomebeer，athim，andhewantedhisrevenge。”
　　“Cherchezlafemme！”smiledthemagistrate。
　　ThecasewasdismissedafterthemagistratehadtoldDaweshe，thoughthimaskunk。
　　“Yougavethecaseaway，“snappedMr。JordantoPaul。
　　“Idon’tthinkIdid，“repliedthelatter。”Besides，you，didn’treallywantaconviction，didyou？”
　　“WhatdoyouthinkItookthecaseupfor？”
　　“Well，“saidPaul，“I’msorryifIsaidthewrongthing。”
　　Clarawasalsoveryangry。
　　“WhyneedMYnamehavebeendraggedin？”shesaid。
　　“Betterspeakitopenlythanleaveittobewhispered。”
　　“Therewasnoneedforanythingatall，“shedeclared。
　　“Wearenonethepoorer，“hesaidindifferently。
　　“YOUmaynotbe，“shesaid。
　　“Andyou？”heasked。
　　“Ineedneverhavebeenmentioned。”
　　“I’msorry，“hesaid;buthedidnotsoundsorry。
　　Hetoldhimselfeasily：，“Shewillcomeround。”，Andshedid。
　　HetoldhismotheraboutthefallofMr。Jordanandthetrial，ofDawes。Mrs。Morelwatchedhimclosely。
　　“Andwhatdoyouthinkofitall？”sheaskedhim。
　　“Ithinkhe’safool，“hesaid。
　　Buthewasveryuncomfortable，nevertheless。
　　“Haveyoueverconsideredwhereitwillend？”hismothersaid。
　　“No，“heanswered;“thingsworkoutofthemselves。”
　　“Theydo，inawayonedoesn’tlike，asarule，“saidhismother。
　　“Andthenonehastoputupwiththem，“hesaid。
　　“You’llfindyou’renotasgoodat’puttingup’asyouimagine，“
　　shesaid。
　　Hewentonworkingrapidlyathisdesign。
　　“DoyoueveraskHERopinion？”shesaidatlength。
　　“Whatof？”
　　“Ofyou，andthewholething。”
　　“Idon’tcarewhatheropinionofmeis。She’sfearfully，inlovewithme，butit’snotverydeep。”
　　“Butquiteasdeepasyourfeelingforher。”
　　Helookedupathismothercuriously。
　　“Yes，“hesaid。”Youknow，mother，Ithinktheremustbe，somethingthematterwithme，thatICAN’Tlove。Whenshe’sthere，asarule，IDOloveher。Sometimes，whenIseeherjustasTHEWOMAN，Iloveher，mother;butthen，whenshetalksandcriticises，Ioftendon’tlistentoher。”
　　“Yetshe’sasmuchsenseasMiriam。”
　　“Perhaps;andIloveherbetterthanMiriam。ButWHYdon’t，theyholdme？”
　　Thelastquestionwasalmostalamentation。Hismother，turnedawayherface，satlookingacrosstheroom，veryquiet，grave，withsomethingofrenunciation。
　　“Butyouwouldn’twanttomarryClara？”shesaid。
　　“No;atfirstperhapsIwould。Butwhy——whydon’tIwanttomarry，heroranybody？，IfeelsometimesasifIwrongedmywomen，mother。”
　　“Howwrongedthem，myson？”
　　“Idon’tknow。”
　　Hewentonpaintingratherdespairingly;hehadtouched，thequickofthetrouble。
　　“Andasforwantingtomarry，“saidhismother，“there’splenty，oftimeyet。”
　　“Butno，mother。IevenloveClara，andIdidMiriam;buttoGIVE
　　myselftotheminmarriageIcouldn’t。Icouldn’tbelongtothem。
　　TheyseemtowantME，andIcan’tevergiveitthem。”
　　“Youhaven’tmettherightwoman。”
　　“AndInevershallmeettherightwomanwhileyoulive，“
　　hesaid。
　　Shewasveryquiet。Nowshebegantofeelagaintired，asifsheweredone。
　　“We’llsee，myson，“sheanswered。
　　Thefeelingthatthingsweregoinginacirclemadehimmad。
　　Clarawas，indeed，passionatelyinlovewithhim，andhewithher，asfaraspassionwent。Inthedaytimeheforgotheragooddeal。
　　Shewasworkinginthesamebuilding，buthewasnotawareofit。
　　Hewasbusy，andherexistencewasofnomattertohim。Butallthe，timeshewasinherSpiralroomshehadasensethathewasupstairs，aphysicalsenseofhispersoninthesamebuilding。Everysecond，sheexpectedhimtocomethroughthedoor，andwhenhecameit，wasashocktoher。Buthewasoftenshortandoffhandwithher。
　　Hegaveherhisdirectionsinanofficialmanner，keepingheratbay。
　　Withwhatwitsshehadleftshelistenedtohim。Shedarednot，misunderstandorfailtoremember，butitwasacrueltytoher。
　　Shewantedtotouchhischest。Sheknewexactlyhowhisbreastwas，shapenunderthewaistcoat，andshewantedtotouchit。Itmaddened，hertohearhismechanicalvoicegivingordersaboutthework。
　　Shewantedtobreakthroughtheshamofit，smashthetrivialcoating，ofbusinesswhichcoveredhimwithhardness，getatthemanagain;
　　butshewasafraid，andbeforeshecouldfeelonetouchofhiswarmthhe，wasgone，andsheachedagain。
　　Heknewthatshewasdrearyeveryeveningshedidnotseehim，sohegaveheragooddealofhistime。Thedayswereoften，amiserytoher，buttheeveningsandthenightswereusually，ablisstothemboth。Thentheyweresilent。Forhoursthey，sattogether，orwalkedtogetherinthedark，andtalkedonly，afew，almostmeaninglesswords。Buthehadherhandinhis，andherbosomleftitswarmthinhischest，makinghimfeelwhole。
　　Oneeveningtheywerewalkingdownbythecanal，andsomethingwastroublinghim。Sheknewshehadnotgothim。
　　Allthetimehewhistledsoftlyandpersistentlytohimself。
　　Shelistened，feelingshecouldlearnmorefromhiswhistlingthan，fromhisspeech。Itwasasaddissatisfiedtune——atunethatmade，herfeelhewouldnotstaywithher。Shewalkedoninsilence。
　　Whentheycametotheswingbridgehesatdownonthegreatpole，lookingatthestarsinthewater。Hewasalongwayfromher。
　　Shehadbeenthinking。
　　“WillyoualwaysstayatJordan’s？”sheasked。
　　“No，“heansweredwithoutreflecting。”No;Is’llleave，Nottinghamandgoabroad——soon。”
　　“Goabroad！，Whatfor？”
　　“Idunno！，Ifeelrestless。”
　　“Butwhatshallyoudo？”
　　“Ishallhavetogetsomesteadydesigningwork，andsomesort，ofsaleformypicturesfirst，“hesaid。”Iamgraduallymaking，myway。IknowIam。”
　　“Andwhendoyouthinkyou’llgo？”
　　“Idon’tknow。Ishallhardlygoforlong，whilethere’s，mymother。”
　　“Youcouldn’tleaveher？”
　　“Notforlong。”
　　Shelookedatthestarsintheblackwater。Theylayvery，whiteandstaring。Itwasanagonytoknowhewouldleaveher，butitwasalmostanagonytohavehimnearher。
　　“Andifyoumadeanicelotofmoney，whatwouldyoudo？”
　　sheasked。
　　“GosomewhereinaprettyhousenearLondonwithmymother。”
　　“Isee。”
　　Therewasalongpause。
　　“Icouldstillcomeandseeyou，“hesaid。”Idon’tknow。
　　Don’taskmewhatIshoulddo;Idon’tknow。”
　　Therewasasilence。Thestarsshudderedandbrokeupon，thewater。Therecameabreathofwind。Hewentsuddenlytoher，andputhishandonhershoulder。
　　“Don’taskmeanythingaboutthefuture，“hesaidmiserably。
　　“Idon’tknowanything。Bewithmenow，willyou，nomatterwhat，itis？”
　　Andshetookhiminherarms。Afterall，shewasamarriedwoman，andshehadnorighteventowhathegaveher。Heneededherbadly。
　　Shehadhiminherarms，andhewasmiserable。Withherwarmthshe，foldedhimover，consoledhim，lovedhim。Shewouldletthemoment，standforitself。
　　Afteramomentheliftedhisheadasifhewantedtospeak。
　　“Clara，“hesaid，struggling。
　　Shecaughthimpassionatelytoher，pressedhisheaddownonher，breastwithherhand。Shecouldnotbearthesufferinginhisvoice。
　　Shewasafraidinhersoul。Hemighthaveanythingofher——anything;
　　butshedidnotwanttoKNOW。Shefeltshecouldnotbearit。
　　Shewantedhimtobesootheduponher——soothed。Shestoodclaspinghim，andcaressinghim，andhewassomethingunknowntoher——something，almostuncanny。Shewantedtosoothehimintoforgetfulness。
　　Andsoonthestrugglewentdowninhissoul，andheforgot。
　　ButthenClarawasnotthereforhim，onlyawoman，warm，somethinghe，lovedandalmostworshipped，thereinthedark。ButitwasnotClara，andshesubmittedtohim。Thenakedhungerandinevitability，ofhislovingher，somethingstrongandblindandruthless，initsprimitiveness，madethehouralmostterribletoher。
　　Sheknewhowstarkandalonehewas，andshefeltitwasgreat，thathecametoher;andshetookhimsimplybecausehisneedwas，biggereitherthanherorhim，andhersoulwasstillwithinher。
　　Shedidthisforhiminhisneed，evenifhelefther，forshe，lovedhim。
　　Allthewhilethepeewitswerescreaminginthefield。
　　Whenhecameto，hewonderedwhatwasnearhiseyes，curvingand，strongwithlifeinthedark，andwhatvoiceitwasspeaking。
　　Thenherealiseditwasthegrass，andthepeewitwascalling。
　　ThewarmthwasClara’sbreathingheaving。Heliftedhishead，andlookedintohereyes。Theyweredarkandshiningandstrange，lifewildatthesourcestaringintohislife，strangertohim，yetmeetinghim;andheputhisfacedownonherthroat，afraid。
　　Whatwasshe？，Astrong，strange，wildlife，thatbreathedwithhis，inthedarknessthroughthishour。Itwasallsomuchbiggerthan，themselvesthathewashushed。Theyhadmet，andincludedintheir，meetingthethrustofthemanifoldgrassstems，thecryofthepeewit，thewheelofthestars。
　　Whentheystooduptheysawotherloversstealingdownthe，oppositehedge。Itseemednaturaltheywerethere;thenight，containedthem。
　　Andaftersuchaneveningtheybothwereverystill，havingknown，theimmensityofpassion。Theyfeltsmall，half-afraid，childish，andwondering，likeAdamandEvewhentheylosttheirinnocence，andrealisedthemagnificenceofthepowerwhichdrove，themoutofParadiseandacrossthegreatnightandthegreatday，ofhumanity。Itwasforeachofthemaninitiationandasatisfaction。
　　Toknowtheirownnothingness，toknowthetremendouslivingflood，whichcarriedthemalways，gavethemrestwithinthemselves。
　　Ifsogreatamagnificentpowercouldoverwhelmthem，identifythem，altogetherwithitself，sothattheyknewtheywereonlygrainsin，thetremendousheavethatliftedeverygrassbladeitslittleheight，andeverytree，andlivingthing，thenwhyfretaboutthemselves？
　　Theycouldletthemselvesbecarriedbylife，andtheyfeltasort，ofpeaceeachintheother。Therewasaverificationwhichtheyhad，hadtogether。Nothingcouldnullifyit，nothingcouldtakeitaway;
　　itwasalmosttheirbeliefinlife。
　　ButClarawasnotsatisfied。Somethinggreatwasthere，sheknew;somethinggreatenvelopedher。Butitdidnotkeepher。
　　Inthemorningitwasnotthesame。TheyhadKNOWN，butshe，couldnotkeepthemoment。Shewanteditagain;shewanted，somethingpermanent。Shehadnotrealisedfully。Shethought，itwashewhomshewanted。Hewasnotsafetoher。Thisthat，hadbeenbetweenthemmightneverbeagain;hemightleaveher。
　　Shehadnotgothim;shewasnotsatisfied。Shehadbeenthere，butshehadnotgrippedthe——thesomething——sheknewnotwhat——whichshe，wasmadtohave。
　　Inthemorninghehadconsiderablepeace，andwashappy，inhimself。Itseemedalmostasifhehadknownthebaptismof，fireinpassion，anditlefthimatrest。ButitwasnotClara。
　　Itwassomethingthathappenedbecauseofher，butitwasnother。
　　Theywerescarcelyanynearereachother。Itwasasiftheyhadbeen，blindagentsofagreatforce。
　　Whenshesawhimthatdayatthefactoryherheartmeltedlike，adropoffire。Itwashisbody，hisbrows。Thedropoffiregrew，moreintenseinherbreast;shemustholdhim。Buthe，veryquiet，verysubduedthismorning，wentongivinghisinstruction。Shefollowed，himintothedark，uglybasement，andliftedherarmstohim。
　　Hekissedher，andtheintensityofpassionbegantoburnhimagain。
　　Somebodywasatthedoor。Heranupstairs;shereturnedtoherroom，movingasifinatrance。
　　Afterthatthefireslowlywentdown。Hefeltmoreandmorethat，hisexperiencehadbeenimpersonal，andnotClara。Helovedher。
　　Therewasabigtenderness，asafterastrongemotionthey，hadknowntogether;butitwasnotshewhocouldkeephissoulsteady。
　　Hehadwantedhertobesomethingshecouldnotbe。
　　Andshewasmadwithdesireofhim。Shecouldnotsee，himwithouttouchinghim。Inthefactory，ashetalkedtoher，aboutSpiralhose，sheranherhandsecretlyalonghisside。
　　Shefollowedhimoutintothebasementforaquickkiss;hereyes，alwaysmuteandyearning，fullofunrestrainedpassion，shekept，fixedonhis。Hewasafraidofher，lestsheshouldtooflagrantly，giveherselfawaybeforetheothergirls。Sheinvariablywaited，forhimatdinnertimeforhimtoembraceherbeforeshewent。
　　Hefeltasifshewerehelpless，almostaburdentohim，andit，irritatedhim。
　　“Butwhatdoyoualwayswanttobekissingandembracingfor？”
　　hesaid。”Surelythere’satimeforeverything。”
　　Shelookedupathim，andthehatecameintohereyes。
　　“DOIalwayswanttobekissingyou？”shesaid。
　　“Always，evenifIcometoaskyouaboutthework。Idon’t，wantanythingtodowithlovewhenI’matwork。Work’swork——“
　　“Andwhatislove？”sheasked。”Hasittohavespecialhours？”
　　“Yes;outofworkhours。”
　　“Andyou’llregulateitaccordingtoMr。Jordan’sclosingtime？”
　　“Yes;andaccordingtothefreedomfrombusinessofanysort。”
　　“Itisonlytoexistinsparetime？”
　　“That’sall，andnotalwaysthen——notthekissingsortoflove。”
　　“Andthat’sallyouthinkofit？”
　　“It’squiteenough。”
　　“I’mgladyouthinkso。”
　　Andshewascoldtohimforsometime——shehatedhim;andwhile，shewascoldandcontemptuous，hewasuneasytillshehadforgiven，himagain。Butwhentheystartedafreshtheywerenotanynearer。
　　Hekeptherbecauseheneversatisfiedher。
　　Inthespringtheywenttogethertotheseaside。Theyhadrooms，atalittlecottagenearTheddlethorpe，andlivedasmanandwife。
　　Mrs。Radfordsometimeswentwiththem。
　　ItwasknowninNottinghamthatPaulMorelandMrs。Dawes，weregoingtogether，butasnothingwasveryobvious，andClara，alwaysasolitaryperson，andheseemedsosimpleandinnocent，itdidnotmakemuchdifference。
　　HelovedtheLincolnshirecoast，andshelovedthesea。
　　Intheearlymorningtheyoftenwentouttogethertobathe。
　　Thegreyofthedawn，thefar，desolatereachesofthefenland，smittenwithwinter，thesea-meadowsrankwithherbage，werestark，enoughtorejoicehissoul。Astheysteppedontothehighroadfrom，theirplankbridge，andlookedroundattheendlessmonotonyoflevels，thelandalittledarkerthanthesky，theseasoundingsmallbeyond，thesandhills，hisheartfilledstrongwiththesweepingrelentlessness，oflife。Shelovedhimthen。Hewassolitaryandstrong，andhiseyes，hadabeautifullight。
　　Theyshudderedwithcold;thenheracedherdowntheroadto，thegreenturfbridge。Shecouldrunwell。Hercoloursooncame，herthroatwasbare，hereyesshone。Helovedherforbeingso，luxuriouslyheavy，andyetsoquick。Himselfwaslight;shewent，withabeautifulrush。Theygrewwarm，andwalkedhandinhand。
　　Aflushcameintothesky，thewanmoon，half-waydown，thewest，sankintoinsignificance。Ontheshadowylandthings，begantotakelife，plantswithgreatleavesbecamedistinct。
　　Theycamethroughapassinthebig，coldsandhillsontothebeach。
　　Thelongwasteofforeshorelaymoaningunderthedawnandthesea;
　　theoceanwasaflatdarkstripwithawhiteedge。Overthegloomy，seatheskygrewred。Quicklythefirespreadamongtheclouds，andscatteredthem。Crimsonburnedtoorange，orangetodullgold，andinagoldenglitterthesuncameup，dribblingfierilyoverthe，wavesinlittlesplashes，asifsomeonehadgonealongandthelight，hadspilledfromherpailasshewalked。
　　Thebreakersrandowntheshoreinlong，hoarsestrokes。
　　Tinyseagulls，likespecksofspray，wheeledabovethelineofsurf。
　　Theircryingseemedlargerthanthey。Farawaythecoastreachedout，andmeltedintothemorning，thetussockysandhillsseemedtosink，toalevelwiththebeach。Mablethorpewastinyontheirright。
　　Theyhadalonethespaceofallthislevelshore，thesea，andthe，upcomingsun，thefaintnoiseofthewaters，thesharpcryingof，thegulls。
　　Theyhadawarmhollowinthesandhillswherethewinddid，notcome。Hestoodlookingouttosea。
　　“It’sveryfine，“hesaid。
　　“Nowdon’tgetsentimental，“shesaid。
　　Itirritatedhertoseehimstandinggazingatthesea，likea，solitaryandpoeticperson。Helaughed。Shequicklyundressed。
　　“Therearesomefinewavesthismorning，“shesaidtriumphantly。
　　Shewasabetterswimmerthanhe;hestoodidlywatchingher。
　　“Aren’tyoucoming？”shesaid。
　　“Inaminute，“heanswered。
　　Shewaswhiteandvelvetskinned，withheavyshoulders。
　　Alittlewind，comingfromthesea，blewacrossherbodyandruffled，herhair。
　　Themorningwasofalovelylimpidgoldcolour。Veilsofshadow，seemedtobedriftingawayonthenorthandthesouth。Clarastood，shrinkingslightlyfromthetouchofthewind，twistingherhair。
　　Thesea-grassrosebehindthewhitestrippedwoman。Sheglanced，atthesea，thenlookedathim。Hewaswatchingherwithdarkeyes，whichshelovedandcouldnotunderstand。Shehuggedherbreasts，betweenherarms，cringing，laughing：
　　“Oo，itwillbesocold！”shesaid。
　　Hebentforwardandkissedher，heldhersuddenlyclose，andkissedheragain。Shestoodwaiting。Helookedintohereyes，thenawayatthepalesands。
　　“Go，then！”hesaidquietly。
　　Sheflungherarmsroundhisneck，drewhimagainsther，kissedhimpassionately，andwent，saying：
　　“Butyou’llcomein？”
　　“Inaminute。”
　　Shewentploddingheavilyoverthesandthatwassoftasvelvet。
　　He，onthesandhills，watchedthegreatpalecoastenvelopher。
　　Shegrewsmaller，lostproportion，seemedonlylikealargewhite，birdtoilingforward。
　　“Notmuchmorethanabigwhitepebbleonthebeach，notmuch，morethanaclotoffoambeingblownandrolledoverthesand，“
　　hesaidtohimself。
　　Sheseemedtomoveveryslowlyacrossthevastsoundingshore。
　　Ashewatched，helosther。Shewasdazzledoutofsightby，thesunshine。Againhesawher，themerestwhitespeckmoving，againstthewhite，mutteringsea-edge。
　　“Lookhowlittlesheis！”hesaidtohimself。”She’slostlike，agrainofsandinthebeach——justaconcentratedspeckblownalong，atinywhitefoam-bubble，almostnothingamongthemorning。
　　Whydoessheabsorbme？”
　　Themorningwasaltogetheruninterrupted：，shewasgonein，thewater。Farandwidethebeach，thesandhillswiththeirbluemarrain，theshiningwater，glowedtogetherinimmense，unbrokensolitude。
　　“Whatisshe，afterall？”hesaidtohimself。”Here’sthe，seacoastmorning，bigandpermanentandbeautiful;thereisshe，fretting，alwaysunsatisfied，andtemporaryasabubbleoffoam。
　　Whatdoesshemeantome，afterall？，Sherepresentssomething，likeabubbleoffoamrepresentsthesea。Butwhatisshe？
　　It’snotherIcarefor。”
　　Then，startledbyhisownunconsciousthoughts，thatseemed，tospeaksodistinctlythatallthemorningcouldhear，heundressed，andranquicklydownthesands。Shewaswatchingforhim。Herarm，flasheduptohim，sheheavedonawave，subsided，hershoulders，inapoolofliquidsilver。Hejumpedthroughthebreakers，andinamomentherhandwasonhisshoulder。
　　Hewasapoorswimmer，andcouldnotstaylonginthewater。
　　Sheplayedroundhimintriumph，sportingwithhersuperiority，whichhebegrudgedher。Thesunshinestooddeepandfineonthewater。
　　Theylaughedintheseaforaminuteortwo，thenracedeachotherback，tothesandhills。
　　Whentheyweredryingthemselves，pantingheavily，hewatchedherlaughing，breathlessface，herbrightshoulders，herbreaststhatswayedandmadehimfrightenedassherubbedthem，andhethoughtagain：
　　“Butsheismagnificent，andevenbiggerthanthemorning，andthesea。Isshe——？Isshe——“
　　She，seeinghisdarkeyesfixedonher，brokeofffromher，dryingwithalaugh。
　　“Whatareyoulookingat？”shesaid。
　　“You，“heanswered，laughing。
　　Hereyesmethis，andinamomenthewaskissing，herwhite“goose-fleshed“shoulder，andthinking：
　　“Whatisshe？，Whatisshe？”
　　Shelovedhiminthemorning。Therewassomethingdetached，hard，andelementalabouthiskissesthen，asifhewereonly，consciousofhisownwill，notintheleastofherandherwantinghim。
　　Laterinthedayhewentoutsketching。
　　“You，“hesaidtoher，“gowithyourmothertoSutton。
　　Iamsodull。”
　　Shestoodandlookedathim。Heknewshewantedtocome，withhim，buthepreferredtobealone。Shemadehimfeelimprisoned，whenshewasthere，asifhecouldnotgetafreedeepbreath，asifthereweresomethingontopofhim。Shefelthisdesire，tobefreeofher。
　　Intheeveninghecamebacktoher。Theywalkeddowntheshore，inthedarkness，thensatforawhileintheshelterofthesandhills。
　　“Itseems，“shesaid，astheystaredoverthedarknessofthesea，wherenolightwastobeseen——“itseemedasifyouonlylovedme，atnight——asifyoudidn’tlovemeinthedaytime。”
　　Heranthecoldsandthroughhisfingers，feelingguilty，undertheaccusation。
　　“Thenightisfreetoyou，“hereplied。”InthedaytimeI
　　wanttobebymyself。”
　　“Butwhy？”shesaid。”Why，evennow，whenweareonthis，shortholiday？”
　　“Idon’tknow。Love-makingstiflesmeinthedaytime。”
　　“Butitneedn’tbealwayslove-making，“shesaid。
　　“Italwaysis，“heanswered，“whenyouandIaretogether。”
　　Shesatfeelingverybitter。
　　“Doyoueverwanttomarryme？”heaskedcuriously。
　　“Doyoume？”shereplied。
　　“Yes，yes;Ishouldlikeustohavechildren，“heansweredslowly。
　　Shesatwithherheadbent，fingeringthesand。
　　“Butyoudon’treallywantadivorcefromBaxter，doyou？”
　　hesaid。
　　Itwassomeminutesbeforeshereplied。
　　“No，“shesaid，verydeliberately;“Idon’tthinkIdo。”
　　“Why？”
　　“Idon’tknow。”
　　“Doyoufeelasifyoubelongedtohim？”
　　“No;Idon’tthinkso。”
　　“What，then？”
　　“Ithinkhebelongstome，“shereplied。
　　Hewassilentforsomeminutes，listeningtothewindblowing，overthehoarse，darksea。
　　“AndyouneverreallyintendedtobelongtoME？”hesaid。
　　“Yes，Idobelongtoyou，“sheanswered。
　　“No，“hesaid;“becauseyoudon’twanttobedivorced。”
　　Itwasaknottheycouldnotuntie，sotheyleftit，tookwhat，theycouldget，andwhattheycouldnotattaintheyignored。
　　“IconsideryoutreatedBaxterrottenly，“hesaidanothertime。
　　Hehalf-expectedClaratoanswerhim，ashismotherwould：
　　“Youconsideryourownaffairs，anddon’tknowsomuchabout，otherpeople’s。”，Butshetookhimseriously，almosttohisownsurprise。
　　“Why？”shesaid。
　　“Isupposeyouthoughthewasalilyofthevalley，andso，youputhiminanappropriatepot，andtendedhimaccording。
　　Youmadeupyourmindhewasalilyofthevalleyanditwasno，goodhisbeingacow-parsnip。Youwouldn’thaveit。”
　　“Icertainlyneverimaginedhimalilyofthevalley。”
　　“Youimaginedhimsomethinghewasn’t。That’sjustwhatawomanis。
　　Shethinkssheknowswhat’sgoodforaman，andshe’sgoingtosee，hegetsit;andnomatterifhe’sstarving，hemaysitandwhistle，forwhatheneeds，whileshe’sgothim，andisgivinghimwhat’s，goodforhim。”
　　“Andwhatareyoudoing？”sheasked。
　　“I’mthinkingwhattuneIshallwhistle，“helaughed。
　　Andinsteadofboxinghisears，sheconsideredhiminearnest。
　　“YouthinkIwanttogiveyouwhat’sgoodforyou？”sheasked。
　　“Ihopeso;butloveshouldgiveasenseoffreedom，notofprison。Miriammademefeeltieduplikeadonkeytoastake。
　　Imustfeedonherpatch，andnowhereelse。It’ssickening！”
　　“AndwouldYOUletaWOMANdoasshelikes？”
　　“Yes;I’llseethatshelikestoloveme。Ifshedoesn’t——well，Idon’tholdher。”
　　“Ifyouwereaswonderfulasyousay——，“repliedClara。
　　“IshouldbethemarvelIam，“helaughed。
　　Therewasasilenceinwhichtheyhatedeachother，thoughtheylaughed。
　　“Love’sadoginamanger，“hesaid。
　　“Andwhichofusisthedog？”sheasked。
　　“Ohwell，you，ofcourse。”
　　Sotherewentonabattlebetweenthem。Sheknewsheneverfully，hadhim。Somepart，bigandvitalinhim，shehadnoholdover;
　　nordidsheevertrytogetit，oreventorealisewhatitwas。
　　AndheknewinsomewaythatsheheldherselfstillasMrs。Dawes。
　　ShedidnotloveDawes，neverhadlovedhim;butshebelievedhe，lovedher，atleastdependedonher。Shefeltacertainsurety，abouthimthatsheneverfeltwithPaulMorel。Herpassion，fortheyoungmanhadfilledhersoul，givenheracertain，satisfaction，easedherofherself-mistrust，herdoubt。
　　Whateverelseshewas，shewasinwardlyassured。Itwasalmost，asifshehadgainedHERSELF，andstoodnowdistinctandcomplete。
　　Shehadreceivedherconfirmation;butsheneverbelievedthather，lifebelongedtoPaulMorel，norhistoher。Theywouldseparate，intheend，andtherestofherlifewouldbeanacheafterhim。
　　Butatanyrate，sheknewnow，shewassureofherself。Andthe，samecouldalmostbesaidofhim。Togethertheyhadreceived，thebaptismoflife，eachthroughtheother;butnowtheirmissions，wereseparate。Wherehewantedtogoshecouldnotcomewithhim。
　　Theywouldhavetopartsoonerorlater。Eveniftheymarried，andwerefaithfultoeachother，stillhewouldhavetoleaveher，goonalone，andshewouldonlyhavetoattendtohimwhenhe，camehome。Butitwasnotpossible。Eachwantedamatetogoside，bysidewith。
　　ClarahadgonetolivewithhermotheruponMapperleyPlains。
　　Oneevening，asPaulandshewerewalkingalongWoodboroughRoad，theymetDawes。Morelknewsomethingaboutthebearingofthe，manapproaching，buthewasabsorbedinhisthinkingatthemoment，sothatonlyhisartist’seyewatchedtheformofthestranger。
　　ThenhesuddenlyturnedtoClarawithalaugh，andputhishandon，hershoulder，saying，laughing：
　　“Butwewalksidebyside，andyetI’minLondonarguing，withanimaginaryOrpen;andwhereareyou？”
　　AtthatinstantDawespassed，almosttouchingMorel。
　　Theyoungmanglanced，sawthedarkbrowneyesburning，fullofhate，andyettired。
　　“Whowasthat？”heaskedofClara。
　　“ItwasBaxter，“shereplied。
　　Paultookhishandfromhershoulderandglancedround;
　　thenhesawagaindistinctlytheman’sformasitapproachedhim。
　　Dawesstillwalkederect，withhisfineshouldersflungback，andhis，facelifted;buttherewasafurtivelookinhiseyesthatgave，onetheimpressionhewastryingtogetunnoticedpasteveryperson，hemet，glancingsuspiciouslytoseewhattheythoughtofhim。
　　Andhishandsseemedtobewantingtohide。Heworeoldclothes，thetrousersweretornattheknee，andthehandkerchieftiedround，histhroatwasdirty;buthiscapwasstilldefiantlyoveroneeye。
　　Asshesawhim，Clarafeltguilty。Therewasatirednessanddespair，onhisfacethatmadeherhatehim，becauseithurther。
　　“Helooksshady，“saidPaul。
　　Butthenoteofpityinhisvoicereproachedher，andmade，herfeelhard。
　　“Histruecommonnesscomesout，“sheanswered。
　　“Doyouhatehim？”heasked。
　　“Youtalk，“shesaid，“aboutthecrueltyofwomen;Iwishyou，knewthecrueltyofmenintheirbruteforce。Theysimplydon’t，knowthatthewomanexists。”
　　“Don’tI？”hesaid。
　　“No，“sheanswered。
　　“Don’tIknowyouexist？”
　　“AboutMEyouknownothing，“shesaidbitterly——“aboutME！”
　　“NomorethanBaxterknew？”heasked。
　　“Perhapsnotasmuch。”
　　Hefeltpuzzled，andhelpless，andangry。Thereshewalked，unknowntohim，thoughtheyhadbeenthroughsuchexperiencetogether。
　　“ButyouknowMEprettywell，“hesaid。
　　Shedidnotanswer。
　　“DidyouknowBaxteraswellasyouknowme？”heasked。
　　“Hewouldn’tletme，“shesaid。
　　“AndIhaveletyouknowme？”
　　“It’swhatmenWON’Tletyoudo。Theywon’tletyouget，reallyneartothem，“shesaid。
　　“Andhaven’tIletyou？”
　　“Yes，“sheansweredslowly;“butyou’venevercomeneartome。
　　Youcan’tcomeoutofyourself，youcan’t。Baxtercoulddothatbetter，thanyou。”
　　Hewalkedonpondering。Hewasangrywithherforprefering，Baxtertohim。
　　“YoubegintovalueBaxternowyou’venotgothim，“hesaid。
　　“No;Icanonlyseewherehewasdifferentfromyou。”
　　Buthefeltshehadagrudgeagainsthim。
　　Oneevening，astheywerecominghomeoverthefields，shestartledhimbyasking：
　　“Doyouthinkit’sworthit——the——thesexpart？”
　　“Theactofloving，itself？”
　　“Yes;isitworthanythingtoyou？”
　　“Buthowcanyouseparateit？”hesaid。”It’stheculmination，ofeverything。Allourintimacyculminatesthen。”
　　“Notforme，“shesaid。
　　Hewassilent。Aflashofhateforhercameup。Afterall，shewasdissatisfiedwithhim，eventhere，wherehethoughtthey，fulfilledeachother。Buthebelievedhertooimplicitly。
　　“Ifeel，“shecontinuedslowly，“asifIhadn’tgotyou，asifallofyouweren’tthere，andasifitweren’tMEyouweretaking——“
　　“Who，then？”
　　“Somethingjustforyourself。Ithasbeenfine，sothatI
　　daren’tthinkofit。ButisitMEyouwant，orisitIT？”
　　Heagainfeltguilty。DidheleaveClaraoutofcount，andtakesimplywomen？，Buthethoughtthatwassplittingahair。
　　“WhenIhadBaxter，actuallyhadhim，thenIDIDfeelasifI
　　hadallofhim，“shesaid。
　　“Anditwasbetter？”heasked。
　　“Yes，yes;itwasmorewhole。Idon’tsayyouhaven’tgiven，memorethanheevergaveme。”
　　“Orcouldgiveyou。”
　　“Yes，perhaps;butyou’venevergivenmeyourself。”
　　Heknittedhisbrowsangrily。
　　“IfIstarttomakelovetoyou，“hesaid，“Ijustgolike，aleafdownthewind。”
　　“Andleavemeoutofcount，“shesaid。
　　“Andthenisitnothingtoyou？”heasked，almostrigid，withchagrin。
　　“It’ssomething;andsometimesyouhavecarriedmeaway——right，away——Iknow——and——Ireverenceyouforit——but——“
　　“Don’t’but’me，“hesaid，kissingherquickly，asafireran，throughhim。
　　Shesubmitted，andwassilent。
　　Itwastrueashesaid。Asarule，whenhestartedlove-making，theemotionwasstrongenoughtocarrywithiteverything——reason，soul，blood——inagreatsweep，liketheTrentcarriesbodilyitsback-swirls，andintertwinings，noiselessly。Graduallythelittlecriticisms，thelittlesensations，werelost，thoughtalsowent，everythingborne，alonginoneflood。Hebecame，notamanwithamind，buta，greatinstinct。Hishandswerelikecreatures，living;hislimbs，hisbody，werealllifeandconsciousness，subjecttonowillofhis，butlivinginthemselves。Justashewas，soitseemedthevigorous，wintrystarswerestrongalsowithlife。Heandtheystruckwith，thesamepulseoffire，andthesamejoyofstrengthwhichheld，thebracken-frondstiffnearhiseyesheldhisownbodyfirm。
　　Itwasasifhe，andthestars，andthedarkherbage，andClara，werelickedupinanimmensetongueofflame，whichtoreonwards，andupwards。Everythingrushedalonginlivingbesidehim;
　　everythingwasstill，perfectinitself，alongwithhim。
　　Thiswonderfulstillnessineachthinginitself，whileitwasbeing，bornealonginaveryecstasyofliving，seemedthehighestpoint，ofbliss。
　　AndClaraknewthisheldhimtoher，soshetrustedaltogether，tothepassion。It，however，failedherveryoften。Theydid，notoftenreachagaintheheightofthatoncewhenthepeewits，hadcalled。Gradually，somemechanicaleffortspoilttheirloving，or，whentheyhadsplendidmoments，theyhadthemseparately，andnotsosatisfactorily。Sooftenheseemedmerelytoberunning，onalone;oftentheyrealisedithadbeenafailure，notwhatthey，hadwanted。Helefther，knowingTHATeveninghadonlymade，alittlesplitbetweenthem。Theirlovinggrewmoremechanical，withoutthemarvellousglamour。Graduallytheybegantointroduce，novelties，togetbacksomeofthefeelingofsatisfaction。
　　Theywouldbeverynear，almostdangerouslyneartotheriver，sothattheblackwaterrannotfarfromhisface，anditgave，alittlethrill;ortheylovedsometimesinalittlehollowbelow，thefenceofthepathwherepeoplewerepassingoccasionally，ontheedgeofthetown，andtheyheardfootstepscoming，almostfelt，thevibrationofthetread，andtheyheardwhatthepassersby，said——strangelittlethingsthatwereneverintendedtobeheard。
　　Andafterwardseachofthemwasratherashamed，andthesethings，causedadistancebetweenthetwoofthem。Hebegantodespiseher，alittle，asifshehadmeritedit！
　　OnenighthelefthertogotoDaybrookStationoverthefields。
　　Itwasverydark，withanattemptatsnow，althoughthespring，wassofaradvanced。Morelhadnotmuchtime;heplungedforward。
　　Thetownceasesalmostabruptlyontheedgeofasteephollow;therethe，houseswiththeiryellowlightsstandupagainstthedarkness。Hewent，overthestile，anddroppedquicklyintothehollowofthefields。
　　UndertheorchardonewarmwindowshoneinSwinesheadFarm。
　　Paulglancedround。Behind，thehousesstoodonthebrimofthedip，blackagainstthesky，likewildbeastsglaringcuriouslywith，yelloweyesdownintothedarkness。Itwasthetownthatseemed，savageanduncouth，glaringonthecloudsatthebackofhim。
　　Somecreaturestirredunderthewillowsofthefarmpond。Itwastoo，darktodistinguishanything。
　　Hewascloseuptothenextstilebeforehesawadarkshape，leaningagainstit。Themanmovedaside。
　　“Good-evening！”hesaid。
　　“Good-evening！”Morelanswered，notnoticing。
　　“PaulMorel？”saidtheman。
　　ThenheknewitwasDawes。Themanstoppedhisway。
　　“I’vegotyer，haveI？”hesaidawkwardly。
　　“Ishallmissmytrain，“saidPaul。
　　HecouldseenothingofDawes’sface。Theman’steethseemed，tochatterashetalked。
　　“You’regoingtogetitfrommenow，“saidDawes。
　　Morelattemptedtomoveforward;theothermansteppedinfront，ofhim。
　　“Areyergoin’totakethattop-coatoff，“hesaid，“orare，yougoin’toliedowntoit？”
　　Paulwasafraidthemanwasmad。
　　“But，“hesaid，“Idon’tknowhowtofight。”
　　“Allright，then，“answeredDawes，andbeforetheyoungerman，knewwherehewas，hewasstaggeringbackwardsfromablowacross，theface。
　　Thewholenightwentblack。Hetoreoffhisovercoatandcoat，dodgingablow，andflungthegarmentsoverDawes。Thelatter，sworesavagely。Morel，inhisshirt-sleeves，wasnowalertand，furious。Hefelthiswholebodyunsheathitselflikeaclaw。
　　Hecouldnotfight，sohewouldusehiswits。Theothermanbecame，moredistincttohim;hecouldseeparticularlytheshirt-breast。
　　DawesstumbledoverPaul’scoats，thencamerushingforward。
　　Theyoungman’smouthwasbleeding。Itwastheotherman’smouth，hewasdyingtogetat，andthedesirewasanguishinitsstrength。
　　Hesteppedquicklythroughthestile，andasDaweswascomingthrough，afterhim，likeaflashhegotablowinovertheother’smouth。
　　Heshiveredwithpleasure。Dawesadvancedslowly，spitting。Paul，wasafraid;hemovedroundtogettothestileagain。Suddenly，from，outofnowhere，cameagreatblowagainsthisear，thatsenthim，fallinghelplessbackwards。HeheardDawes’sheavypanting，likeawildbeast’s，thencameakickontheknee，givinghim，suchagonythathegotupand，quiteblind，leaptcleanunderhis，enemy’sguard。Hefeltblowsandkicks，buttheydidnothurt。
　　Hehungontothebiggermanlikeawildcat，tillatlastDawesfell，withacrash，losinghispresenceofmind。Paulwentdownwithhim。
　　Pureinstinctbroughthishandstotheman’sneck，andbeforeDawes，infrenzyandagony，couldwrenchhimfree，hehadgothisfists，twistedinthescarfandhisknucklesduginthethroatofthe，otherman。Hewasapureinstinct，withoutreasonorfeeling。
　　Hisbody，hardandwonderfulinitself，cleavedagainstthe，strugglingbodyoftheotherman;notamuscleinhimrelaxed。
　　Hewasquiteunconscious，onlyhisbodyhadtakenuponitselftokill，thisotherman。Forhimself，hehadneitherfeelingnorreason。
　　Helaypressedhardagainsthisadversary，hisbodyadjustingitself，toitsonepurepurposeofchokingtheotherman，resistingexactly，attherightmoment，withexactlytherightamountofstrength，thestrugglesoftheother，silent，intent，unchanging，gradually，pressingitsknucklesdeeper，feelingthestrugglesoftheother，bodybecomewilderandmorefrenzied。Tighterandtightergrew，hisbody，likeascrewthatisgraduallyincreasinginpressure，tillsomethingbreaks。
　　Thensuddenlyherelaxed，fullofwonderandmisgiving。
　　Daweshadbeenyielding。Morelfelthisbodyflamewithpain，asherealisedwhathewasdoing;hewasallbewildered。
　　Dawes’sstrugglessuddenlyrenewedthemselvesinafuriousspasm。
　　Paul’shandswerewrenched，tornoutofthescarfinwhichthey，wereknotted，andhewasflungaway，helpless。Heheardthehorrid，soundoftheother’sgasping，buthelaystunned;then，stilldazed，hefelttheblowsoftheother’sfeet，andlostconsciousness。
　　Dawes，gruntingwithpainlikeabeast，waskickingtheprostrate，bodyofhisrival。Suddenlythewhistleofthetrainshrieked，twofieldsaway。Heturnedroundandglaredsuspiciously。
　　Whatwascoming？，Hesawthelightsofthetraindrawacrosshisvision。
　　Itseemedtohimpeoplewereapproaching。Hemadeoffacrossthe，fieldintoNottingham，anddimlyinhisconsciousnessashewent，hefeltonhisfoottheplacewherehisboothadknockedagainst，oneofthelad’sbones。Theknockseemedtore-echoinsidehim;
　　hehurriedtogetawayfromit。
　　Morelgraduallycametohimself。Heknewwherehewasand，whathadhappened，buthedidnotwanttomove。Helaystill，withtinybitsofsnowticklinghisface。Itwaspleasant，toliequite，quitestill。Thetimepassed。Itwasthebits，ofsnowthatkeptrousinghimwhenhedidnotwanttoberoused。
　　Atlasthiswillclickedintoaction。
　　“Imustn’tliehere，“hesaid;“it’ssilly。”
　　Butstillhedidnotmove。
　　“IsaidIwasgoingtogetup，“herepeated。”Whydon’tI？”
　　Andstillitwassometimebeforehehadsufficientlypulled，himselftogethertostir;thengraduallyhegotup。Painmadehim，sickanddazed，buthisbrainwasclear。Reeling，hegropedfor，hiscoatsandgotthemon，buttoninghisovercoatuptohisears。
　　Itwassometimebeforehefoundhiscap。Hedidnotknowwhetherhis，facewasstillbleeding。Walkingblindly，everystepmakinghimsick，withpain，hewentbacktothepondandwashedhisfaceandhands。
　　Theicywaterhurt，buthelpedtobringhimbacktohimself。
　　Hecrawledbackupthehilltothetram。Hewantedtogettohis，mother——hemustgettohismother——thatwashisblindintention。
　　Hecoveredhisfaceasmuchashecould，andstruggledsicklyalong。
　　Continuallythegroundseemedtofallawayfromhimashewalked，andhefelthimselfdroppingwithasickeningfeelingintospace;so，likeanightmare，hegotthroughwiththejourneyhome。
　　Everybodywasinbed。Helookedathimself。Hisfacewas，discolouredandsmearedwithblood，almostlikeadeadman’sface。
　　Hewashedit，andwenttobed。Thenightwentbyindelirium。
　　Inthemorninghefoundhismotherlookingathim。Herblueeyes——they，wereallhewantedtosee。Shewasthere;hewasinherhands。
　　“It’snotmuch，mother，“hesaid。”ItwasBaxterDawes。”
　　“Tellmewhereithurtsyou，“shesaidquietly。
　　“Idon’tknow——myshoulder。Sayitwasabicycleaccident，mother。”
　　Hecouldnotmovehisarm。PresentlyMinnie，thelittleservant，cameupstairswithsometea。
　　“Yourmother’snearlyfrightenedmeoutofmywits——faintedaway，“
　　shesaid。
　　Hefelthecouldnotbearit。Hismothernursedhim;hetold，heraboutit。
　　“AndnowIshouldhavedonewiththemall，“shesaidquietly。
　　“Iwill，mother。”
　　Shecoveredhimup。
　　“Anddon’tthinkaboutit，“shesaid——“onlytrytogotosleep。
　　Thedoctorwon’tbeheretilleleven。”
　　Hehadadislocatedshoulder，andtheseconddayacutebronchitis，setin。Hismotherwaspaleasdeathnow，andverythin。Shewould，sitandlookathim，thenawayintospace。Therewassomething，betweenthemthatneitherdaredmention。Claracametoseehim。
　　Afterwardshesaidtohismother：
　　“Shemakesmetired，mother。”
　　“Yes;Iwishshewouldn’tcome，“Mrs。Morelreplied。
　　AnotherdayMiriamcame，butsheseemedalmostlikeastranger，tohim。
　　“Youknow，Idon’tcareaboutthem，mother，“hesaid。
　　“I’mafraidyoudon’t，myson，“sherepliedsadly。
　　Itwasgivenouteverywherethatitwasabicycleaccident。
　　Soonhewasabletogotoworkagain，butnowtherewasaconstant，sicknessandgnawingathisheart。HewenttoClara，butthereseemed，asitwere，nobodythere。Hecouldnotwork。Heandhismother，seemedalmosttoavoideachother。Therewassomesecretbetween，themwhichtheycouldnotbear。Hewasnotawareofit。Heonly，knewthathislifeseemedunbalanced，asifitweregoingtosmash，intopieces。
　　Claradidnotknowwhatwasthematterwithhim。
　　Sherealisedthatheseemedunawareofher。Evenwhenhecame，toherheseemedunawareofher;alwayshewassomewhereelse。
　　Shefeltshewasclutchingforhim，andhewassomewhereelse。
　　Ittorturedher，andsoshetorturedhim。Foramonthatatime，shekepthimatarm’slength。Healmosthatedher，andwasdriven，toherinspiteofhimself。Hewentmostlyintothecompanyofmen，wasalwaysattheGeorgeortheWhiteHorse。Hismotherwasill，distant，quiet，shadowy。Hewasterrifiedofsomething;hedared，notlookather。Hereyesseemedtogrowdarker，herfacemorewaxen;
　　stillshedraggedaboutatherwork。
　　AtWhitsuntidehesaidhewouldgotoBlackpoolforfour，dayswithhisfriendNewton。Thelatterwasabig，jollyfellow，withatouchofthebounderabouthim。Paulsaidhismothermustgo，toSheffieldtostayaweekwithAnnie，wholivedthere。Perhapsthe，changewoulddohergood。Mrs。Morelwasattendingawoman’sdoctor，inNottingham。Hesaidherheartandherdigestionwerewrong。
　　SheconsentedtogotoSheffield，thoughshedidnotwantto;
　　butnowshewoulddoeverythinghersonwishedofher。Paulsaid，hewouldcomeforheronthefifthday，andstayalsoinSheffield，tilltheholidaywasup。Itwasagreed。
　　ThetwoyoungmensetoffgailyforBlackpool。Mrs。Morelwas，quitelivelyasPaulkissedherandlefther。Onceatthestation，heforgoteverything。Fourdayswereclear——notananxiety，notathought。Thetwoyoungmensimplyenjoyedthemselves。
　　Paulwaslikeanotherman。Noneofhimselfremained——noClara，noMiriam，nomotherthatfrettedhim。Hewrotetothemall，andlongletterstohismother;buttheywerejollylettersthat，madeherlaugh。Hewashavingagoodtime，asyoungfellowswill，inaplacelikeBlackpool。Andunderneathitallwasashadow，forher。
　　Paulwasverygay，excitedatthethoughtofstayingwithhis，motherinSheffield。Newtonwastospendthedaywiththem。
　　Theirtrainwaslate。Joking，laughing，withtheirpipesbetween，theirteeth，theyoungmenswungtheirbagsontothetram-car。Paul，hadboughthismotheralittlecollarofreallacethathewanted，toseeherwear，sothathecouldteaseheraboutit。
　　Annielivedinanicehouse，andhadalittlemaid。Paulran，gailyupthesteps。Heexpectedhismotherlaughinginthehall，butitwasAnniewhoopenedtohim。Sheseemeddistanttohim。
　　Hestoodasecondindismay。Annielethimkisshercheek。
　　“Ismymotherill？”hesaid。
　　“Yes;she’snotverywell。Don’tupsether。”
　　“Issheinbed？”
　　“Yes。”
　　Andthenthequeerfeelingwentoverhim，asifallthesunshine，hadgoneoutofhim，anditwasallshadow。Hedroppedthebag，andranupstairs。Hesitating，heopenedthedoor。Hismother，satupinbed，wearingadressing-gownofold-rosecolour。
　　Shelookedathimalmostasifshewereashamedofherself，pleadingtohim，humble。Hesawtheashylookabouther。
　　“Mother！”hesaid。
　　“Ithoughtyouwerenevercoming，“sheansweredgaily。
　　Butheonlyfellonhiskneesatthebedside，andburied，hisfaceinthebedclothes，cryinginagony，andsaying：
　　“Mother——mother——mother！”