She has never had it more"-- he handsomely made the point--"than just lately." And he scrupulously went further.

"She has never been anything I could call a burden." Strether for a moment said nothing; then he spoke gravely, with his shade of dryness deepened.

"Oh if you didn't do her justice--!" "I SHOULD be a beast, eh ?" Strether devoted no time to saying what he would be; THAT, visibly, would take them far.

If there was nothing for it but to repeat, however, repetition was no mistake.

"You owe her everything--very much more than she can ever owe you.