"Is it a refinement not to answer his mother's letters ?" She appeared to have a scruple, but she brought it out.

"Oh I should say the greatest of all." "Well," said Strether, "I'M quite content to let it, as one of the signs, pass for the worst that I know he believes he can do what he likes with me." This appeared to strike her.

"How do you know it ?" "Oh I'm sure of it.

I feel it in my bones." "Feel he CAN do it ?" "Feel that he believes he can.

It may come to the same thing!" Strether laughed.
She wouldn't, however, have this.