"I've no use, Strether, for anything down there." "Well," said Strether, good-humouredly, "I guess you've some use for me." "So I've got to go ?" "Oh you've got to go further yet." "Well," Waymarsh sighed, "do your damnedest! Only you WILL tell me before you lead me on all the way-- ?" Our friend had again so lost himself, both for amusement and for contrition, in the wonder of whether he had made, in his own challenge that afternoon, such another figure, that he for an instant missed the thread.

"Tell you-- ?" "Why what you've got on hand." Strether hesitated.

"Why it's such a matter as that even if I positively wanted I shouldn't be able to keep it from you." Waymarsh gloomily gazed.

"What does that mean then but that your trip is just FOR her ?" "For Mrs.Newsome?
Oh it certainly is, as I say.

Very much." "Then why do you also say it's for me ?" Strether, in impatience, violently played with his latch.