" Then it was that his implications and expectations
loomed up for Strether as almost pathetically gross.
The latter patted his shoulder while he thanked him, giving the
go-by to the question of joining the Pococks; he expressed the joy he
felt at seeing him go forth again so brave and free, and he in fact
almost took leave of him on the spot. "I shall see you again of
course before you go; but I'm meanwhile much obliged to you for
arranging so conveniently for what you've told me. I shall walk up
and down in the court there--dear little old court which we've each
bepaced so, this last couple of months, to the tune of our flights
and our drops, our hesitations and our plunges: I shall hang about
there, all impatience and excitement, please let Sarah know, till
she graciously presents herself. Leave me with her without fear,"
he laughed; "I assure you I shan't hurt her. I don't think either
she'll hurt ME: I'm in a situation in which damage was some time
ago discounted. Besides, THAT isn't what worries you--but don't,
don't explain! We're all right as we are: which was the degree of
success our adventure was pledged to for each of us. We weren't,
it seemed, all right as we were before; and we've got over the
ground, all things considered, quickly.
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