'But that way of arguing by imaginary instances is not supposed to be genuine, is it?
A man does NOT come and take my hat from off my head, does he ?' 'Only because the law prevents him,' said Gerald.
'Not only,' said Birkin.

'Ninety-nine men out of a hundred don't want my hat.' 'That's a matter of opinion,' said Gerald.
'Or the hat,' laughed the bridegroom.
'And if he does want my hat, such as it is,' said Birkin, 'why, surely it is open to me to decide, which is a greater loss to me, my hat, or my liberty as a free and indifferent man.

If I am compelled to offer fight, I lose the latter.

It is a question which is worth more to me, my pleasant liberty of conduct, or my hat.' 'Yes,' said Hermione, watching Birkin strangely.

'Yes.' 'But would you let somebody come and snatch your hat off your head ?' the bride asked of Hermione.
The face of the tall straight woman turned slowly and as if drugged to this new speaker.
'No,' she replied, in a low inhuman tone, that seemed to contain a chuckle.