ld his hostess
before, to see life reflected for the time in ideally kept pewter;
which was somehow becoming, improving to life, so that one's eyes were
held and comforted. Strether's were comforted at all events now--and
the more that it was the last time--with the charming effect, on the
board bare of a cloth and proud of its perfect surface, of the small
old crockery and old silver, matched by the more substantial pieces
happily disposed about the room. The specimens of vivid Delf, in
particular had the dignity of family portraits; and it was in the midst
of them that our friend resignedly expressed himself. He spoke even
with a certain philosophic humour. "There's nothing more to wait for;
I seem to have done a good day's work. I've let them have it all
round. I've seen Chad, who has been to London and come back. He tells
me I'm 'exciting,' and I seem indeed pretty well to have upset every
one. I've at any rate excited HIM. He's distinctly restless."

"You've excited ME," Miss Gostrey smiled. "I'M distinctly restless."

"Oh you were that when I found you. It seems to me I've rather got you
out of it. What's this," he asked as he looked about him, "but a haunt
of ancient peace?"

"I wish with all my heart," she presently replied, "I could make you
treat it as a haven of rest." On which they fronted each other, across
the table, as if things unuttered were in the air.

Strether seemed, in his way, when he next spoke, to take some of them
up. "It wouldn't give me--that would be the trouble--what it will, no
doubt, still give you. I'm not," he explained, leaning back in his
chair, but with his eyes on a small ripe round melon--"in real harmony
with what surrounds me. You ARE. I take it too hard. You DON'T. It
makes--that's what it comes to in the end--a fool of me." Then at a
tangent, "What has he been doing in London?" he demanded.

"Ah one may go to London," Maria laughed. "You know I did."

Yes--he took the reminder. "And you brought ME back." He brooded there
opposite to her, but without gloom. "Whom has Chad brought? He's full
of ideas. And I wrote to Sarah," he added, "the first thing this
morning. So I'm square. I'm ready for them."

She neglected certain parts of this speech in the interest of others.
"Marie said to me the other day that she felt him to have the makings
of an immense man of business."

"There it is. He's the son of his father!"

"But SUCH a father!"

"Ah just t