‘Quite,’ said Gerald.

‘In fact,’ said Birkin, ‘because the relation between man and woman is made the supreme and exclusive relationship, that’s where all the tightness and meanness and insufficiency comes in.’

‘Yes, I believe you,’ said Gerald.

‘You’ve got to take down the love-and-marriage ideal from its pedestal. We want something broader. I believe in the ADDITIONAL perfect relationship between man and man — additional to marriage.’

‘I can never see how they can be the same,’ said Gerald.

‘Not the same — but equally important, equally creative, equally sacred, if you like.’