`Wehavealwaysallowedallwidowsofmenwhoworkedforthefirmaloadofcoalseverythreemonths。\'
`Theymustpaycostpricehenceforward。Thefirmisnotacharityinstitution，aseverybodyseemstothink。\'
Widows，thesestockfiguresofsentimentalhumanitarianism，hefeltadislikeatthethoughtofthem。Theywerealmostrepulsive。Whyweretheynotimmolatedonthepyreofthehusband，likethesatiinIndia？
Atanyrate，letthempaythecostoftheircoals。
Inathousandwayshecutdowntheexpenditure，inwayssofineastobehardlynoticeabletothemen。Theminersmustpayforthecartageoftheircoals，heavycartagetoo;theymustpayfortheirtools，forthesharpening，forthecareoflamps，forthemanytriflingthingsthatmadethebillofchargesagainsteverymanmountuptoashillingorsointheweek。Itwasnotgraspedverydefinitelybytheminers，thoughtheyweresoreenough。Butitsavedhundredsofpoundseveryweekforthefirm。
GraduallyGeraldgotholdofeverything。Andthenbeganthegreatreform。
Expertengineerswereintroducedineverydepartment。Anenormouselectricplantwasinstalled，bothforlightingandforhaulageunderground，andforpower。Theelectricitywascarriedintoeverymine。NewmachinerywasbroughtfromAmerica，suchastheminershadneverseenbefore，greatironmen，asthecuttingmachineswerecalled，andunusualappliances。Theworkingofthepitswasthoroughlychanged，allthecontrolwastakenoutofthehandsoftheminers，thebuttysystemwasabolished。Everythingwasrunonthemostaccurateanddelicatescientificmethod，educatedandexpertmenwereincontroleverywhere，theminerswerereducedtomeremechanicalinstruments。Theyhadtoworkhard，muchharderthanbefore，theworkwasterribleandheart—breakinginitsmechanicalness。
Buttheysubmittedtoitall。Thejoywentoutoftheirlives，thehopeseemedtoperishastheybecamemoreandmoremechanised。Andyettheyacceptedthenewconditions。Theyevengotafurthersatisfactionoutofthem。AtfirsttheyhatedGeraldCrich，theysworetodosomethingtohim，tomurderhim。Butastimewenton，theyacceptedeverythingwithsomefatalsatisfaction。Geraldwastheirhighpriest，herepresentedthereligiontheyreallyfelt。Hisfatherwasforgottenalready。Therewasanewworld，aneworder，strict，terrible，inhuman，butsatisfyinginitsverydestructiveness。
Themenweresatisfiedtobelongtothegreatandwonderfulmachine，evenwhilstitdestroyedthem。Itwaswhattheywanted。Itwasthehighestthatmanhadproduced，themostwonderfulandsuperhuman。Theywereexaltedbybelongingtothisgreatandsuperhumansystemwhichwasbeyondfeelingorreason，somethingreallygodlike。Theirheartsdiedwithinthem，buttheirsoulsweresatisfied。Itwaswhattheywanted。OtherwiseGeraldcouldneverhavedonewhathedid。Hewasjustaheadofthemingivingthemwhattheywanted，thisparticipationinagreatandperfectsystemthatsubjectedlifetopuremathematicalprinciples。Thiswasasortoffreedom，thesorttheyreallywanted。Itwasthefirstgreatstepinundoing，thefirstgreatphaseofchaos，thesubstitutionofthemechanicalprinciplefortheorganic，thedestructionoftheorganicpurpose，theorganicunity，andthesubordinationofeveryorganicunittothegreatmechanicalpurpose。Itwaspureorganicdisintegrationandpuremechanicalorganisation。Thisisthefirstandfineststateofchaos。
Geraldwassatisfied。Heknewthecollierssaidtheyhatedhim。Buthehadlongceasedtohatethem。Whentheystreamedpasthimatevening，theirheavybootsslurringonthepavementwearily，theirshouldersslightlydistorted，theytooknonoticeofhim，theygavehimnogreetingwhatever，theypassedinagrey—blackstreamofunemotionalacceptance。Theywerenotimportanttohim，saveasinstruments，norhetothem，saveasasupremeinstrumentofcontrol。Asminerstheyhadtheirbeing，hehadhisbeingasdirector。Headmiredtheirqualities。Butasmen，personalities，theywerejustaccidents，sporadiclittleunimportantphenomena。Andtacitly，themenagreedtothis。ForGeraldagreedtoitinhimself。
Hehadsucceeded。Hehadconvertedtheindustryintoanewandterriblepurity。Therewasagreateroutputofcoalthanever，thewonderfulanddelicatesystemranalmostperfectly。Hehadasetofreallycleverengineers，bothminingandelectrical，andtheydidnotcostmuch。Ahighlyeducatedmancostverylittlemorethanaworkman。Hismanagers，whowereallraremen，werenomoreexpensivethantheoldbunglingfoolsofhisfather\'sdays，whoweremerelycollierspromoted。Hischiefmanager，whohadtwelvehundredayear，savedthefirmatleastfivethousand。ThewholesystemwasnowsoperfectthatGeraldwashardlynecessaryanymore。
Itwassoperfectthatsometimesastrangefearcameoverhim，andhedidnotknowwhattodo。Hewentonforsomeyearsinasortoftranceofactivity。Whathewasdoingseemedsupreme，hewasalmostlikeadivinity。
Hewasapureandexaltedactivity。
Butnowhehadsucceeded——hehadfinallysucceeded。Andonceortwicelately，whenhewasaloneintheeveningandhadnothingtodo，hehadsuddenlystoodupinterror，notknowingwhathewas。Andhewenttothemirrorandlookedlongandcloselyathisownface，athisowneyes，seekingforsomething。Hewasafraid，inmortaldryfear，butheknewnotwhatof。Helookedathisownface。Thereitwas，shapelyandhealthyandthesameasever，yetsomehow，itwasnotreal，itwasamask。Hedarednottouchit，forfearitshouldprovetobeonlyacompositionmask。Hiseyeswereblueandkeenasever，andasfirmintheirsockets。Yethewasnotsurethattheywerenotbluefalsebubblesthatwouldburstinamomentandleaveclearannihilation。Hecouldseethedarknessinthem，asiftheywereonlybubblesofdarkness。Hewasafraidthatonedayhewouldbreakdownandbeapurelymeaninglessbabblelappingroundadarkness。
Buthiswillyetheldgood，hewasabletogoawayandread，andthinkaboutthings。Helikedtoreadbooksabouttheprimitiveman，booksofanthropology，andalsoworksofspeculativephilosophy。Hismindwasveryactive。Butitwaslikeabubblefloatinginthedarkness。Atanymomentitmightburstandleavehiminchaos。Hewouldnotdie。Heknewthat。
Hewouldgoonliving，butthemeaningwouldhavecollapsedoutofhim，hisdivinereasonwouldbegone。Inastrangelyindifferent，sterileway，hewasfrightened。Buthecouldnotreacteventothefear。Itwasasifhiscentresoffeelingweredryingup。Heremainedcalm，calculativeandhealthy，andquitefreelydeliberate，evenwhilsthefelt，withfaint，smallbutfinalsterilehorror，thathismysticreasonwasbreaking，givingwaynow，atthiscrisis。
Anditwasastrain。Heknewtherewasnoequilibrium。Hewouldhavetogoinsomedirection，shortly，tofindrelief。OnlyBirkinkeptthefeardefinitelyoffhim，savedhimhisquicksufficiencyinlife，bytheoddmobilityandchangeablenesswhichseemedtocontainthequintessenceoffaith。ButthenGeraldmustalwayscomeawayfromBirkin，asfromaChurchservice，backtotheoutsiderealworldofworkandlife。Thereitwas，itdidnotalter，andwordswerefutilities。Hehadtokeephimselfinreckoningwiththeworldofworkandmateriallife。Anditbecamemoreandmoredifficult，suchastrangepressurewasuponhim，asiftheverymiddleofhimwereavacuum，andoutsidewereanawfultension。
Hehadfoundhismostsatisfactoryreliefinwomen。Afteradebauchwithsomedesperatewoman，hewentonquiteeasyandforgetful。Thedevilofitwas，itwassohardtokeepuphisinterestinwomennowadays。Hedidn\'tcareaboutthemanymore。APussumwasallrightinherway，butshewasanexceptionalcase，andevenshematteredextremelylittle。No，women，inthatsense，wereuselesstohimanymore。Hefeltthathismindneededacutestimulation，beforehecouldbephysicallyroused。
WomenInLove:Chapter18CHAPTERXVIIIRabbitGUDRUNKNEWthatitwasacriticalthingforhertogotoShortlands。SheknewitwasequivalenttoacceptingGeraldCrichasalover。Andthoughshehungback，dislikingthecondition，yetsheknewshewouldgoon。Sheequivocated。Shesaidtoherself，intormentrecallingtheblowandthekiss，`afterall，whatisit？Whatisakiss？
Whatevenisablow？Itisaninstant，vanishedatonce。IcangotoShortlandsjustforatime，beforeIgoaway，ifonlytoseewhatitislike。\'Forshehadaninsatiablecuriositytoseeandtoknoweverything。
ShealsowantedtoknowwhatWinifredwasreallylike。Havingheardthechildcallingfromthesteamerinthenight，shefeltsomemysteriousconnectionwithher。
Gudruntalkedwiththefatherinthelibrary。Thenhesentforhisdaughter。
ShecameaccompaniedbyMademoiselle。
`Winnie，thisisMissBrangwen，whowillbesokindastohelpyouwithyourdrawingandmakingmodelsofyouranimals，\'saidthefather。
ThechildlookedatGudrunforamomentwithinterest，beforeshecameforwardandwithfaceavertedofferedherhand。TherewasacompletesangfroidandindifferenceunderWinifred\'schildishreserve，acertainirresponsiblecallousness。
`Howdoyoudo？\'saidthechild，notliftingherface。
`Howdoyoudo？\'saidGudrun。
ThenWinifredstoodaside，andGudrunwasintroducedtoMademoiselle。
`Youhaveafinedayforyourwalk，\'saidMademoiselle，inabrightmanner。
`Quitefine，\'saidGudrun。
Winifredwaswatchingfromherdistance。Shewasasifamused，butratherunsureasyetwhatthisnewpersonwaslike。Shesawsomanynewpersons，andsofewwhobecamerealtoher。Mademoisellewasofnocountwhatever，thechildmerelyputupwithher，calmlyandeasily，acceptingherlittleauthoritywithfaintscorn，compliantoutofchildisharroganceofindifference。
`Well，Winifred，\'saidthefather，`aren\'tyougladMissBrangwenhascome？Shemakesanimalsandbirdsinwoodandinclay，thatthepeopleinLondonwriteaboutinthepapers，praisingthemtotheskies。\'
Winifredsmiledslightly。
`Whotoldyou，Daddie？\'sheasked。
`Whotoldme？Hermionetoldme，andRupertBirkin。\'
`Doyouknowthem？\'WinifredaskedofGudrun，turningtoherwithfaintchallenge。
`Yes，\'saidGudrun。
Winifredreadjustedherselfalittle。ShehadbeenreadytoacceptGudrunasasortofservant。Nowshesawitwasontermsoffriendshiptheywereintendedtomeet。Shewasratherglad。Shehadsomanyhalfinferiors，whomshetoleratedwithperfectgood—humour。
Gudrunwasverycalm。Shealsodidnottakethesethingsveryseriously。
Anewoccasionwasmostlyspectaculartoher。However，Winifredwasadetached，ironicchild，shewouldneverattachherself。Gudrunlikedherandwasintriguedbyher。Thefirstmeetingswentoffwithacertainhumiliatingclumsiness。NeitherWinifrednorherinstructresshadanysocialgrace。
Soon，however，theymetinakindofmake—beliefworld。Winifreddidnotnoticehumanbeingsunlesstheywerelikeherself，playfulandslightlymocking。Shewouldacceptnothingbuttheworldofamusement，andtheseriouspeopleofherlifeweretheanimalsshehadforpets。Onthoseshelavished，almostironically，heraffectionandhercompanionship。Totherestofthehumanschemeshesubmittedwithafaintboredindifference。
ShehadapekinesedogcalledLooloo，whichsheloved。
`LetusdrawLooloo，\'saidGudrun，`andseeifwecangethisLooliness，shallwe？\'
`Darling！\'criedWinifred，rushingtothedog，thatsatwithcontemplativesadnessonthehearth，andkissingitsbulgingbrow。`Darlingone，willyoubedrawn？Shallitsmummydrawitsportrait？\'Thenshechuckledgleefully，andturningtoGudrun，said:`Ohlet\'s！\'
Theyproceededtogetpencilsandpaper，andwereready。
`Beautifullest，\'criedWinifred，huggingthedog，`sitstillwhileitsmummydrawsitsbeautifulportrait。\'Thedoglookedupatherwithgrievousresignationinitslarge，prominenteyes。Shekisseditfervently，andsaid:`Iwonderwhatminewillbelike。It\'ssuretobeawful。\'
Asshesketchedshechuckledtoherself，andcriedoutattimes:
`Ohdarling，you\'resobeautiful！\'
Andagainchuckling，sherushedtoembracethedog，inpenitence，asifsheweredoinghimsomesubtleinjury。Hesatallthetimewiththeresignationandfretfulnessofagesonhisdarkvelvetyface。Shedrewslowly，withawickedconcentrationinhereyes，herheadononeside，anintensestillnessoverher。Shewasasifworkingthespellofsomeenchantment。Suddenlyshehadfinished。Shelookedatthedog，andthenatherdrawing，andthencried，withrealgriefforthedog，andatthesametimewithawickedexultation:
`Mybeautiful，whydidthey？\'
Shetookherpapertothedog，andhelditunderhisnose。Heturnedhisheadasideasinchagrinandmortification，andsheimpulsivelykissedhisvelvetybulgingforehead。
`\'saLoolie，\'salittleLoozie！Lookathisportrait，darling，lookathisportrait，thathismotherhasdoneofhim。\'Shelookedatherpaperandchuckled。Then，kissingthedogoncemore，sheroseandcamegravelytoGudrun，offeringherthepaper。
Itwasagrotesquelittlediagramofagrotesquelittleanimal，sowickedandsocomical，aslowsmilecameoverGudrun\'sface，unconsciously。AndathersideWinifredchuckledwithglee，andsaid:
`Itisn\'tlikehim，isit？He\'smuchlovelierthanthat。He\'ssobeautiful——mmm，Looloo，mysweetdarling。\'Andsheflewofftoembracethechagrinedlittledog。Helookedupatherwithreproachful，saturnineeyes，vanquishedinhisextremeagednessofbeing。Thensheflewbacktoherdrawing，andchuckledwithsatisfaction。
`Itisn\'tlikehim，isit？\'shesaidtoGudrun。
`Yes，it\'sverylikehim，\'Gudrunreplied。
Thechildtreasuredherdrawing，carrieditaboutwithher，andshowedit，withasilentembarrassment，toeverybody。
`Look，\'shesaid，thrustingthepaperintoherfather\'shand。
`Whythat\'sLooloo！\'heexclaimed。Andhelookeddowninsurprise，hearingthealmostinhumanchuckleofthechildathisside。
GeraldwasawayfromhomewhenGudrunfirstcametoShortlands。Butthefirstmorninghecamebackhewatchedforher。Itwasasunny，softmorning，andhelingeredinthegardenpaths，lookingattheflowersthathadcomeoutduringhisabsence。Hewascleanandfitasever，shaven，hisfairhairscrupulouslypartedattheside，brightinthesunshine，hisshort，fairmoustachecloselyclipped，hiseyeswiththeirhumorouskindtwinkle，whichwassodeceptive。Hewasdressedinblack，hisclothessatwellonhiswell—nourishedbody。Yetashelingeredbeforetheflower—bedsinthemorningsunshine，therewasacertainisolation，afearabouthim，asofsomethingwanting。
Gudruncameupquickly，unseen。Shewasdressedinblue，withwoollenyellowstockings，liketheBluecoatboys。Heglancedupinsurprise。Herstockingsalwaysdisconcertedhim，thepale—yellowstockingsandtheheavyheavyblackshoes。Winifred，whohadbeenplayingaboutthegardenwithMademoiselleandthedogs，cameflittingtowardsGudrun。Thechildworeadressofblack—and—whitestripes。Herhairwasrathershort，cutroundandhanginglevelinherneck。
`We\'regoingtodoBismarck，aren\'twe？\'shesaid，linkingherhandthroughGudrun\'sarm。
`Yes，we\'regoingtodoBismarck。Doyouwantto？\'
`Ohyes——ohIdo！IwantmostawfullytodoBismarck。Helookssosplendidthismorning，sofierce。He\'salmostasbigasalion。\'
Andthechildchuckledsardonicallyatherownhyperbole。`He\'sarealking，hereallyis。\'
`Bonjour，Mademoiselle，\'saidthelittleFrenchgoverness，waveringupwithaslightbow，abowofthesortthatGudrunloathed，insolent。
`WinifredveuttantfaireleportraitdeBismarck——！Oh，maistoutelamatinee——\"WewilldoBismarckthismorning！\"——Bismarck，Bismarck，toujoursBismarck！C\'estunlapin，n\'est—cepas，mademoiselle？\'
`Oui，c\'estungrandlapinblancetnoir。Vousnel\'avezpasvu？\'saidGudruninhergood，butratherheavyFrench。
`Non，mademoiselle，Winifredn\'ajamaisvoulumelefairevoir。Tantdefoisjeleluiaidemande，\"Qu\'estcedoncqueceBismarck，Winifred？\"
Maisellen\'apasvoulumeledire。SonBismarck，c\'etaitunmystere。\'
`Oui，c\'estunmystere，vraimentunmystere！MissBrangwen，saythatBismarckisamystery，\'criedWinifred。
`Bismarck，isamystery，Bismarck，c\'estunmystere，derBismarck，eristeinWunder，\'saidGudrun，inmockingincantation。
`Ja，eristeinWunder，\'repeatedWinifred，withoddseriousness，underwhichlayawickedchuckle。
`IsteraucheinWunder？\'cametheslightlyinsolentsneeringofMademoiselle。
`Doch！\'saidWinifredbriefly，indifferent。
`DochisternichteinKonig。Beesmarck，hewasnotaking，Winifred，asyouhavesaid。Hewasonly——iln\'etaitquechancelier。\'
`Qu\'estcequ\'unchancelier？\'saidWinifred，withslightlycontemptuousindifference。
`Achancelierisachancellor，andachancelloris，Ibelieve，asortofjudge，\'saidGeraldcomingupandshakinghandswithGudrun。`You\'llhavemadeasongofBismarcksoon，\'saidhe。
Mademoisellewaited，anddiscreetlymadeherinclination，andhergreeting。
`Sotheywouldn\'tletyouseeBismarck，Mademoiselle？\'hesaid。
`Non，Monsieur。\'
`Ay，verymeanofthem。Whatareyougoingtodotohim，MissBrangwen？
Iwanthimsenttothekitchenandcooked。\'
`Ohno，\'criedWinifred。
`We\'regoingtodrawhim，\'saidGudrun。
`Drawhimandquarterhimanddishhimup，\'hesaid，beingpurposelyfatuous。
`Ohno，\'criedWinifredwithemphasis，chuckling。
Gudrundetectedthetangofmockeryinhim，andshelookedupandsmiledintohisface。Hefelthisnervescaressed。Theireyesmetinknowledge。
`HowdoyoulikeShortlands？\'heasked。
`Oh，verymuch，\'shesaid，withnonchalance。
`Gladyoudo。Haveyounoticedtheseflowers？\'
Heledheralongthepath。Shefollowedintently。Winifredcame，andthegovernesslingeredintherear。Theystoppedbeforesomeveinedsalpiglossisflowers。
`Aren\'ttheywonderful？\'shecried，lookingatthemabsorbedly。Strangehowherreverential，almostecstaticadmirationoftheflowerscaressedhisnerves。Shestoopeddown，andtouchedthetrumpets，withinfinitelyfineanddelicate—touchingfinger—tips。Itfilledhimwitheasetoseeher。Whensherose，hereyes，hotwiththebeautyoftheflowers，lookedintohis。
`Whatarethey？\'sheasked。
`Sortofpetunia，Isuppose，\'heanswered。`Idon\'treallyknowthem。\'
`Theyarequitestrangerstome，\'shesaid。
Theystoodtogetherinafalseintimacy，anervouscontact。Andhewasinlovewithher。
ShewasawareofMademoisellestandingnear，likealittleFrenchbeetle，observantandcalculating。ShemovedawaywithWinifred，sayingtheywouldgotofindBismarck。
Geraldwatchedthemgo，lookingallthewhileatthesoft，full，stillbodyofGudrun，initssilkycashmere。Howsilkyandrichandsoftherbodymustbe。Anexcessofappreciationcameoverhismind，shewastheall—desirable，theall—beautiful。Hewantedonlytocometoher，nothingmore。Hewasonlythis，thisbeingthatshouldcometoher，andbegiventoher。
AtthesametimehewasfinelyandacutelyawareofMademoiselle\'sneat，brittlefinalityofform。Shewaslikesomeelegantbeetlewiththinankles，perchedonherhighheels，herglossyblackdressperfectlycorrect，herdarkhairdonehighandadmirably。Howrepulsivehercompletenessandherfinalitywas！Heloathedher。
Yethedidadmireher。Shewasperfectlycorrect。Anditdidratherannoyhim，thatGudruncamedressedinstartlingcolours，likeamacaw，whenthefamilywasinmourning。Likeamacawshewas！Hewatchedthelingeringwayshetookherfeetfromtheground。Andherankleswerepaleyellow，andherdressadeepblue。Yetitpleasedhim。Itpleasedhimverymuch。
Hefeltthechallengeinherveryattire——shechallengedthewholeworld。
Andhesmiledastothenoteofatrumpet。
GudrunandWinifredwentthroughthehousetotheback，wherewerethestablesandtheout—buildings。Everywherewasstillanddeserted。MrCrichhadgoneoutforashortdrive，thestablemanhadjustledroundGerald\'shorse。Thetwogirlswenttothehutchthatstoodinacorner，andlookedatthegreatblack—and—whiterabbit。
`Isn\'thebeautiful！Oh，dolookathimlistening！Doesn\'thelooksilly！\'
shelaughedquickly，thenadded`Oh，dolet\'sdohimlistening，doletus，helistenswithsomuchofhimself;——don\'tyoudarlingBismarck？\'
`Canwetakehimout？\'saidGudrun。
`He\'sverystrong。Hereallyisextremelystrong。\'ShelookedatGudrun，herheadononeside，inoddcalculatingmistrust。
`Butwe\'lltry，shallwe？\'
`Yes，ifyoulike。Buthe\'safearfulkicker！\'
Theytookthekeytounlockthedoor。Therabbitexplodedinawildrushroundthehutch。
`Hescratchesmostawfullysometimes，\'criedWinifredinexcitement。
`Ohdolookathim，isn\'thewonderful！\'Therabbittoreroundthehutchinahurry。`Bismarck！\'criedthechild，inrousingexcitement。`Howdreadfulyouare！Youarebeastly。\'WinifredlookedupatGudrunwithsomemisgivinginherwildexcitement。Gudrunsmiledsardonicallywithhermouth。Winifredmadeastrangecrooningnoiseofunaccountableexcitement。`Nowhe\'sstill！\'
shecried，seeingtherabbitsettleddowninafarcornerofthehutch。
`Shallwetakehimnow？\'shewhisperedexcitedly，mysteriously，lookingupatGudrunandedgingveryclose。`Shallwegethimnow？——\'shechuckledwickedlytoherself。
Theyunlockedthedoorofthehutch。Gudrunthrustinherarmandseizedthegreat，lustyrabbitasitcrouchedstill，shegraspeditslongears。
Itsetitsfourfeetflat，andthrustback。Therewasalongscrapingsoundasitwashauledforward，andinanotherinstantitwasinmid—air，lungingwildly，itsbodyflyinglikeaspringcoiledandreleased，asitlashedout，suspendedfromtheears。Gudrunheldtheblack—and—whitetempestatarms\'length，avertingherface。Buttherabbitwasmagicallystrong，itwasallshecoulddotokeephergrasp。Shealmostlostherpresenceofmind。
`Bismarck，Bismarck，youarebehavingterribly，\'saidWinifredinaratherfrightenedvoice，`Oh，doputhimdown，he\'sbeastly。\'
Gudrunstoodforamomentastoundedbythethunder—stormthathadsprungintobeinginhergrip。Thenhercolourcameup，aheavyragecameoverherlikeacloud。Shestoodshakenasahouseinastorm，andutterlyovercome。
Herheartwasarrestedwithfuryatthemindlessnessandthebestialstupidityofthisstruggle，herwristswerebadlyscoredbytheclawsofthebeast，aheavycrueltywelledupinher。
Geraldcameroundasshewastryingtocapturetheflyingrabbitunderherarm。Hesaw，withsubtlerecognition，hersullenpassionofcruelty。
`Youshouldletoneofthemendothatforyou，\'hesaidhurryingup。
`Oh，he\'ssohorrid！\'criedWinifred，almostfrantic。
Heheldouthisnervous，sinewyhandandtooktherabbitbytheears，fromGudrun。
`It\'smostfearfullystrong，\'shecried，inahighvoice，likethecryingaseagull，strangeandvindictive。
Therabbitmadeitselfintoaballintheair，andlashedout，flingingitselfintoabow。Itreallyseemeddemoniacal。GudrunsawGerald\'sbodytighten，sawasharpblindnesscomeintohiseyes。
`Iknowthesebeggarsofold，\'hesaid。
Thelong，demon—likebeastlashedoutagain，spreadontheairasifitwereflying，lookingsomethinglikeadragon，thenclosingupagain，inconceivablypowerfulandexplosive。Theman\'sbody，strungtoitsefforts，vibratedstrongly。Thenasuddensharp，white—edgedwrathcameupinhim。
Swiftaslightninghedrewbackandbroughthisfreehanddownlikeahawkontheneckoftherabbit。Simultaneously，therecametheunearthlyabhorrentscreamofarabbitinthefearofdeath。Itmadeoneimmensewrithe，torehiswristsandhissleevesinafinalconvulsion，allitsbellyflashedwhiteinawhirlwindofpaws，andthenhehadslungitroundandhaditunderhisarm，fast。Itcoweredandskulked。Hisfacewasgleamingwithasmile。
`Youwouldn\'tthinktherewasallthatforceinarabbit，\'hesaid，lookingatGudrun。Andhesawhereyesblackasnightinherpallidface，shelookedalmostunearthly。Thescreamoftherabbit，aftertheviolenttussle，seemedtohavetorntheveilofherconsciousness。Helookedather，andthewhitish，electricgleaminhisfaceintensified。
`Idon\'treallylikehim，\'Winifredwascrooning。`Idon\'tcareforhimasIdoforLoozie。He\'shatefulreally。\'
AsmiletwistedGudrun\'sface，assherecovered。Sheknewshewasrevealed。
`Don\'ttheymakethemostfearfulnoisewhentheyscream？\'shecried，thehighnoteinhervoice，likeasea—gull\'scry。
`Abominable，\'hesaid。
`Heshouldn\'tbesosillywhenhehastobetakenout，\'Winifredwassaying，puttingoutherhandandtouchingtherabbittentatively，asitskulkedunderhisarm，motionlessasifitweredead。
`He\'snotdead，isheGerald？\'sheasked。
`No，heoughttobe，\'hesaid。
`Yes，heought！\'criedthechild，withasuddenflushofamusement。
Andshetouchedtherabbitwithmoreconfidence。`Hisheartisbeatingsofast。Isn\'thefunny？Hereallyis。\'
`Wheredoyouwanthim？\'askedGerald。
`Inthelittlegreencourt，\'shesaid。
GudrunlookedatGeraldwithstrange，darkenedeyes，strainedwithunderworldknowledge，almostsupplicating，likethoseofacreaturewhichisathismercy，yetwhichishisultimatevictor。Hedidnotknowwhattosaytoher。Hefeltthemutualhellishrecognition。Andhefeltheoughttosaysomething，tocoverit。Hehadthepoweroflightninginhisnerves，sheseemedlikeasoftrecipientofhismagical，hideouswhitefire。Hewasunconfident，hehadqualmsoffear。
`Didhehurtyou？\'heasked。
`No，\'shesaid。
`He\'saninsensiblebeast，\'hesaid，turninghisfaceaway。
Theycametothelittlecourt，whichwasshutinbyoldredwallsinwhosecreviceswall—flowersweregrowing。Thegrasswassoftandfineandold，alevelfloorcarpetingthecourt，theskywasblueoverhead。Geraldtossedtherabbitdown。Itcrouchedstillandwouldnotmove。Gudrunwatcheditwithfainthorror。
`Whydoesn\'titmove？\'shecried。
`It\'sskulking，\'hesaid。
Shelookedupathim，andaslightsinistersmilecontractedherwhiteface。
`Isn\'titafool！\'shecried。`Isn\'titasickeningfool？\'
Thevindictivemockeryinhervoicemadehisbrainquiver。Glancingupathim，intohiseyes，sherevealedagainthemocking，white—cruelrecognition。
Therewasaleaguebetweenthem，abhorrenttothemboth。Theywereimplicatedwitheachotherinabhorrentmysteries。
`Howmanyscratcheshaveyou？\'heasked，showinghishardforearm，whiteandhardandtorninredgashes。
`Howreallyvile！\'shecried，flushingwithasinistervision。`Mineisnothing。\'
Sheliftedherarmandshowedadeepredscoredownthesilkenwhiteflesh。
`Whatadevil！\'heexclaimed。Butitwasasifhehadhadknowledgeofherinthelongredrentofherforearm，sosilkenandsoft。Hedidnotwanttotouchher。Hewouldhavetomakehimselftouchher，deliberately。
Thelong，shallowredripseemedtornacrosshisownbrain，tearingthesurfaceofhisultimateconsciousness，lettingthroughtheforeverunconscious，unthinkableredetherofthebeyond，theobscenebeyond。
`Itdoesn\'thurtyouverymuch，doesit？\'heasked，solicitous。
`Notatall，\'shecried。
Andsuddenlytherabbit，whichhadbeencrouchingasifitwereaflower，sostillandsoft，suddenlyburstintolife。Roundandroundthecourtitwent，asifshotfromagun，roundandroundlikeafurrymeteorite，inatensehardcirclethatseemedtobindtheirbrains。Theyallstoodinamazement，smilinguncannily，asiftherabbitwereobeyingsomeunknownincantation。Roundandrounditflew，onthegrassundertheoldredwallslikeastorm。
Andthenquitesuddenlyitsettleddown，hobbledamongthegrass，andsatconsidering，itsnosetwitchinglikeabitoffluffinthewind。Afterhavingconsideredforafewminutes，asoftbunchwithablack，openeye，whichperhapswaslookingatthem，perhapswasnot，ithobbledcalmlyforwardandbegantonibblethegrasswiththatmeanmotionofarabbit\'squickeating。
`It\'smad，\'saidGudrun。`Itismostdecidedlymad。\'
Helaughed。
`Thequestionis，\'hesaid，`whatismadness？Idon\'tsupposeitisrabbit—mad。\'
`Don\'tyouthinkitis？\'sheasked。
`No。That\'swhatitistobearabbit。\'
Therewasaqueer，faint，obscenesmileoverhisface。Shelookedathimandsawhim，andknewthathewasinitiateasshewasinitiate。Thisthwartedher，andcontravenedher，forthemoment。
`Godbepraisedwearen\'trabbits，\'shesaid，inahigh，shrillvoice。
Thesmileintensifiedalittle，onhisface。
`Notrabbits？\'hesaid，lookingatherfixedly。
Slowlyherfacerelaxedintoasmileofobscenerecognition。
