‘That’s right.’

Again Gudrun waited for what he would say.

‘You find life pleasant, it is good to live, isn’t it?’ he asked, with a pitiful faint smile that was almost too much for Gudrun.

‘Yes,’ she smiled — she would lie at random — ’I get a pretty good time I believe.’

‘That’s right. A happy nature is a great asset.’

Again Gudrun smiled, though her soul was dry with repulsion. Did one have to die like this — having the life extracted forcibly from one, whilst one smiled and made conversation to the end? Was there no other way? Must one go through all the horror of this victory over death,