‘I suppose I do,’ said Gerald. ‘Did you ever do any boxing — ?’

‘No, I don’t think I did,’ said Birkin.

‘Ay — ’ Gerald lifted his head and blew the smoke slowly into the air.

‘Why?’ said Birkin.

‘Nothing. I thought we might have a round. It is perhaps true, that I want something to hit. It’s a suggestion.’

‘So you think you might as well hit me?’ said Birkin.

‘You? Well! Perhaps — ! In a friendly kind of way, of course.’

‘Quite!’ said Birkin, bitingly.