About this story
The question turns real at Laura Crich's wedding, where Gudrun fixes on the bride's controlled brother Gerald and you both watch from hiding until a late cab brings the missing groom and his best man. Afterward, Rupert Birkin, the school inspector everyone assumes belongs to Hermione Roddice, crosses the churchyard to ask whether you still call marriage an ending.
How it opens
Morning light held your embroidery and Gudrun's drawing in the same window bay.
Gudrun BrangwenUrsula, do you truly want to marry?
Gudrun BrangwenLondon gave me manners enough to conceal why I came back.
Gudrun BrangwenOutside is the same brick, mine dust, and procession of colliers.
You considered several proposals that had tempted you only while they stayed abstract.
Marriage may be an experience, or the end of experience.