Page 266 - women-in-love

knowing. Gudrun shuddered as she mechanically followed
his boat. Birkin rowed without speaking to the landing-
stage.
‘Where are you going?’ Gerald asked suddenly, as if just
waking up.
‘Home,’ said Birkin.
‘Oh no!’ said Gerald imperiously. ‘We can’t go home
while they’re in the water. Turn back again, I’m going to find
them.’ The women were frightened, his voice was so impera-
tive and dangerous, almost mad, not to be opposed.
‘No!’ said Birkin. ‘You can’t.’ There was a strange fluid
compulsion in his voice. Gerald was silent in a battle of
wills. It was as if he would kill the other man. But Birkin
rowed evenly and unswerving, with an inhuman inevita-
bility.
‘Why should you interfere?’ said Gerald, in hate.
Birkin did not answer. He rowed towards the land. And
Gerald sat mute, like a dumb beast, panting, his teeth chat-
tering, his arms inert, his head like a seal’s head.
They came to the landing-stage. Wet and naked-looking,
Gerald climbed up the few steps. There stood his father, in
the night.
‘Father!’ he said.
‘Yes my boy? Go home and get those things off.’
‘We shan’t save them, father,’ said Gerald.
‘There’s hope yet, my boy.’
‘I’m afraid not. There’s no knowing where they are. You
can’t find them. And there’s a current, as cold as hell.’
‘We’ll let the water out,’ said the father. ‘Go home you

266 Women in Love