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`No.' `No. Don't you think it's too bad?' This last was in a tone of challenge. The Pussum let it be known by her tone, that she was aware of Gudrun's listening. `I suppose he didn't feel like it,' replied Gerald. `But why didn't he?' pursued the Pussum. This was received in silence. There was an ugly, mocking persistence in the small, beautiful figure of the short-haired girl, as she stood near Gerald. `Are you staying in town long?' she asked. `Tonight only.' `Oh, only tonight. Are you coming over to speak to Julius?' `Not tonight.' `Oh very well. I'll tell him then.' Then came her touch of diablerie. `You're looking awf'lly fit.' `Yes -- I feel it.' Gerald was quite calm and easy, a spark of satiric amusement in his eye. `Are you having a good time?' This was a direct blow for Gudrun, spoken in a level, toneless voice of callous ease. `Yes,' he replied, quite colourlessly. `I'm awf'lly sorry you aren't coming round to the flat. You aren't very faithful to your fwiends.' `Not very,' he said. She nodded them both `Good-night', and went back slowly to her own set. Gudrun watched her curious walk, stiff and jerking at the loins. They heard her level, toneless voice distinctly. `He won't come over; -- he is otherwise engaged,' it said. There was more laughter and lowered voices and mockery at the table. `Is she a friend of yours?' said Gudrun, looking calmly at Gerald. `I've stayed at Halliday's flat with Birkin,' he said, meeting her slow, calm eyes. And she knew that the Pussum was one of his mistresses -- and he knew she knew. She looked round, and called for the waiter. She wanted an iced cocktail, of all things. This amused Gerald -- he wondered what was up. The Halliday party was tipsy, and malicious. They were talking out loudly about Birkin, ridiculing him on every point, particularly on his marriage. `Oh, don't make me think of Birkin,' Halliday was squealing. `He makes me perfectly sick. He is as bad as Jesus. "Lord, what must I do to be saved!"' He giggled to himself tipsily. |
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