I bear on my back the huge load of our national consciousness, or, in other words--for it comes to that--of our nation itself.

Of what is our nation composed but of the men and women individually on my shoulders?
I don't do it, you know, for any particular advantage.

I don't do it, for instance--some people do, you know--for money." Strether could only listen and wonder and weigh his chance.

"And yet, affected as you are then to so many of your clients, you can scarcely be said to do it for love." He waited a moment.

"How do we reward you ?" She had her own hesitation, but "You don't!" she finally returned, setting him again in motion.