Любовник леди Чаттерлей

           ’Sit’erethenabit,andwarmyer,’hesaid.

           Sheobeyedhim.Hehadthatcuriouskindofprotectiveauthoritysheobeyedatonce.Soshesatandwarmedherhandsattheblaze,anddroppedlogsonthefire,whilstoutsidehewashammeringagain.Shedidnotreallywanttosit,pokedinacornerbythefire;shewouldratherhavewatchedfromthedoor,butshewasbeinglookedafter,soshehadtosubmit.

           Thehutwasquitecosy,panelledwithunvarnisheddeal,havingalittlerustictableandstoolbesideherchair,andacarpenter’sbench,thenabigbox,tools,newboards,nails;andmanythingshungfrompegs:axe,hatchet,traps,thingsinsacks,hiscoat.Ithadnowindow,thelightcameinthroughtheopendoor.Itwasajumble,butalsoitwasasortoflittlesanctuary.

           Shelistenedtothetappingoftheman’shammer;itwasnotsohappy.Hewasoppressed.Herewasatrespassonhisprivacy,andadangerousone!Awoman!Hehadreachedthepointwhereallhewantedonearthwastobealone.Andyethewaspowerlesstopreservehisprivacy;hewasahiredman,andthesepeoplewerehismasters.

           Especiallyhedidnotwanttocomeintocontactwithawomanagain.Hefearedit;forhehadabigwoundfromoldcontacts.Hefeltifhecouldnotbealone,andifhecouldnotbeleftalone,hewoulddie.Hisrecoilawayfromtheouterworldwascomplete;hislastrefugewasthiswood;tohidehimselfthere!

           Conniegrewwarmbythefire,whichshehadmadetoobig:thenshegrewhot.Shewentandsatonthestoolinthedoorway,watchingthemanatwork.Heseemednottonoticeher,butheknew.