"Has Miss Gostrey come back ?" But when Strether presently spoke it wasn't in answer.

"It's not, I gather, that your mother's physically ill; her health, on the whole, this spring, seems to have been better than usual.

But she's worried, she's anxious, and it appears to have risen within the last few days to a climax.

We've tired out, between us, her patience." "Oh it isn't YOU!" Chad generously protested.
"I beg your pardon--it IS me." Strether was mild and melancholy, but firm.

He saw it far away and over his companion's head.