‘What’s the matter, really?’ said Gerald, turning to Gudrun.

This was an assumption of a sort of intimacy that irritated Gudrun almost like an affront. It seemed to her that Gerald was deliberately insulting her, and infringing on the decent privacy of them all.

‘What is it?’ she said, in her high, repellent voice. ‘Don’t ask me! — I know nothing about ULTIMATE marriage, I assure you: or even penultimate.’

‘Only the ordinary unwarrantable brand!’ replied Gerald. ‘Just so — same here. I am no expert on marriage, and degrees of ultimateness. It seems to be a bee that buzzes loudly in Rupert’s bonnet.’

‘Exactly! But that is his