‘I’m blest if I know,’ came the good-humoured answer.

‘You see,’ said Birkin, ‘part of you wants the Pussum, and nothing but the Pussum, part of you wants the mines, the business, and nothing but the business — and there you are — all in bits — ’

‘And part of me wants something else,’ said Gerald, in a queer, quiet, real voice.

‘What?’ said Birkin, rather surprised.

‘That’s what I hoped you could tell me,’ said Gerald.

There was a silence for some time.

‘I can’t tell you — I can’t find my own way, let alone yours. You might marry,’