'Ah, well, the fault of that lies with yourself,' he said, and he felt
a little exultation, that he had made this speech.
He was still so strong and living! But the nausea of death began to
creep back on him, in reaction.
Gudrun went away, back to Winifred. Mademoiselle had left, Gudrun
stayed a good deal at Shortlands, and a tutor came in to carry on
Winifred's education. But he did not live in the house, he was
connected with the Grammar School.
One day, Gudrun was to drive with Winifred and Gerald and Birkin to
town, in the car. It was a dark, showery day. Winifred and Gudrun were
ready and waiting at the door. Winifred was very quiet, but Gudrun had
not noticed. Suddenly the child asked, in a voice of unconcern:
'Do you think my father's going to die, Miss Brangwen?'
Gudrun started.
'I don't know,' she replied.
'Don't you truly?'
'Nobody knows for certain. He MAY die, of course.'
The child pondered a few moments, then she asked:
'But do you THINK he will die?'
It was put almost like a question in geography or science, insistent,
as if she would force an admission from the adult.
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