"I don't think I understand you.

Why was it that, more than a month ago, you put it to me so urgently to let Madame de Vionnet speak for you ?" "'Why' ?" Chad considered, but he had it at his fingers' ends.

"Why but because I knew how well she'd do it?
It was the way to keep you quiet and, to that extent, do you good.

Besides," he happily and comfortably explained, "I wanted you really to know her and to get the impression of her--and you see the good that HAS done you." "Well," said Strether, "the way she has spoken for you, all the same--so far as I've given her a chance--has only made me feel how much she wishes to keep you.

If you make nothing of that I don't see why you wanted me to listen to her." "Why my dear man," Chad exclaimed, "I make everything of it! How can you doubt-- ?" "I doubt only because you come to me this morning with your signal to start." Chad stared, then gave a laugh.