Women in Love

'Of course,' she said coldly. 'If one is a woman, and grown up, one's

instinct prevents one. But I cannot see how that applies to a couple of

boys playing together.' Her voice was cold and angry.

'Yes,' persisted Ursula. At that moment they heard a woman's voice a

few yards off say loudly: 'Oh damn the thing!' They went forward and saw Laura Crich and Hermione

Roddice in the field on the other side of the hedge, and Laura Crich

struggling with the gate, to get out. Ursula at once hurried up and

helped to lift the gate.

'Thanks so much,' said Laura, looking up flushed and amazon-like, yet

rather confused. 'It isn't right on the hinges.' 'No,' said Ursula. 'And they're so heavy.' 'Surprising!' cried Laura.

'How do you do,' sang Hermione, from out of the field, the moment she

could make her voice heard. 'It's nice now. Are you going for a walk?

Yes. Isn't the young green beautiful? So beautiful--quite burning. Good

morning--good morning--you'll come and see me?--thank you so much--next

week--yes--good-bye, g-o-o-d b-y-e.' Gudrun and Ursula stood and watched her slowly waving her head up and

down, and waving her hand slowly in dismissal, smiling a strange

affected smile, making a tall queer, frightening figure, with her heavy

fair hair slipping to her eyes. Then they moved off, as if they had

been dismissed like inferiors. The four women parted.

As soon as they had gone far enough, Ursula said, her cheeks burning, 'I do think she's impudent.' 'Who, Hermione Roddice?' asked Gudrun. 'Why?' 'The way she treats one--impudence!' 'Why, Ursula, what did you notice that was so impudent?' asked Gudrun

rather coldly.

'Her whole manner. Oh, It's impossible, the way she tries to bully one.

Pure bullying. She's an impudent woman. "You'll come and see me," as if

we should be falling over ourselves for the privilege.' 'I can't understand, Ursula, what you are so much put out about,' said

Gudrun, in some exasperation. 'One knows those women are

impudent--these free women who have emancipated themselves from the

aristocracy.' 'But it is so UNNECESSARY--so vulgar,' cried Ursula.

'No, I don't see it. And if I did--pour moi, elle n'existe pas. I don't

grant her the power to be impudent to me.' 'Do you think she likes you?' asked Ursula.

'Well, no, I shouldn't think she did.' 'Then why does she ask you to go to Breadalby and stay with her?' Gudrun lifted her shoulders in a low shrug.