"That's a genial thing to say to a fellow who has come out on purpose to meet you!" Nothing could have been finer, on this, than Waymarsh's sombre glow.
"HAVE you come out on purpose ?" "Well--very largely." "I thought from the way you wrote there was something back of it." Strether hesitated.

"Back of my desire to be with you ?" "Back of your prostration." Strether, with a smile made more dim by a certain consciousness, shook his head.

"There are all the causes of it!" "And no particular cause that seemed most to drive you ?" Our friend could at last conscientiously answer.

"Yes.

One.