wanted to touch the other; to touch her; to feel her。
〃I will race you; Ursula;〃 came the well…modulated voice。
Ursula started violently。 She turned to see the warm;
unfolded face of her mistress looking at her; to her。 She was
acknowledged。 Laughing her own beautiful; startled laugh; she
began to swim。 The mistress was just ahead; swimming with easy
strokes。 Ursula could see the head put back; the water
flickering upon the white shoulders; the strong legs kicking
shadowily。 And she swam blinded with passion。 Ah; the beauty of
the firm; white; cool flesh! Ah; the wonderful firm limbs。 Ah;
if she did not so despise her own thin; dusky fragment of a
body; if only she too were fearless and capable。
She swam on eagerly; not wanting to win; only wanting to be
near her mistress; to swim in a race with her。 They neared the
end of the bath; the deep end。 Miss Inger touched the pipe;
swung herself round; and caught Ursula round the waist in the
water; and held her for a moment。
〃I won;〃 said Miss Inger; laughing。
There was a moment of suspense。 Ursulas heart was beating so
fast; she clung to the rail; and could not move。 Her dilated;
warm; unfolded; glowing face turned to the mistress; as if to
her very sun。
〃Good…bye;〃 said Miss Inger; and she swam away to the other
pupils; taking professional interest in them。
Ursula was dazed。 She could still feel the touch of the
mistresss body against her own……only this; only this。 The
rest of the swimming time passed like a trance。 When the call
was given to leave the water; Miss Inger walked down the bath
towards Ursula。 Her rust…red; thin tunic was clinging to her;
the whole body was defined; firm and magnificent; as it seemed
to the girl。
〃I enjoyed our race; Ursula; did you?〃 said Miss Inger。
The girl could only laugh with revealed; open; glowing
face。
The love was now tacitly confessed。 But it was some time