It
came to him in fact that just here was his usual case: he was for ever
missing things through his general genius for missing them, while
others were for ever picking them up through a contrary bent. And it
was others who looked abstemious and he who looked greedy; it was he
somehow who finally paid, and it was others who mainly partook. Yes,
he should go to the scaffold yet for he wouldn't know quite whom. He
almost, for that matter, felt on the scaffold now and really quite
enjoying it. It worked out as BECAUSE he was anxious there--it worked
out as for this reason that Waymarsh was so blooming. It was HIS trip
for health, for a change, that proved the success--which was just what
Strether, planning and exerting himself, had desired it should be. That
truth already sat full-blown on his companion's lips; benevolence
breathed from them as with the warmth of active exercise, and also a
little as with the bustle of haste.

"Mrs. Pocock, whom I left a quarter of an hour ago at her hotel, has
asked me to mention to you that she would like to find you at home here
in about another hour. She wants to see you; she has something to
say--or considers, I believe, that you may have: so that I asked her
myself why she shouldn't come right round. She hasn't BEEN round
yet--to see our place; and I took upon myself to say that I was sure
you'd be glad to have her. The thing's therefore, you see, to keep
right here till she comes."

The announcement was sociably, even though, after Waymarsh's wont,
somewhat solemnly made; but Strether quickly felt other things in it
than these light features. It was the first approach, from that
quarter, to admitted consciousness; it quickened his pulse; it simply
meant at last that he should have but himself to thank if he didn't
know where he was. He had finished his breakfast; he pushed it away
and was on his feet. There were plenty of elements of surprise, but
only one of doubt. "The thing's for YOU to keep here too?" Waymarsh
had been slightly ambiguous.

He wasn't ambiguous, however, after this enquiry; and Strether's
understanding had probably never before opened so wide and effective a
mouth as it was to open during the next five minutes. It was no part of
his friend's wish, as appeared, to help to receive Mrs. Pocock; he
quite understood the spirit in which she was to present herself, but
his connexion with her visit was limited to his having--well, as he
might say--perh