But sometimes, for a change, he goes with me into the shops, and then I've all I can do to prevent his buying me things." "He wants to 'treat' you ?" Strether almost gasped at all he himself hadn't thought of.

He had a sense of admiration.

"Oh he's much more in the real tradition than I.

Yes," he mused, "it's the sacred rage." "The sacred rage, exactly!"-- and Miss Barrace, who hadn't before heard this term applied, recognised its bearing with a clap of her gemmed hands.

"Now I do know why he's not banal.