Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/543

 "You 've therefore often hated me?"

"Never. I should have parted company with you before coming to that."

"But you 've wanted to part company, to bid me go on my way and be hanged?"

"Repeatedly. Then I 've had patience and for given you."

"Forgiven me, eh? Suffering all the while?"

"Yes, you may call it suffering."

Roderick thought a moment. "Why did you never tell me all this before?"

"Because my affection was always stronger than my resentment; because I preferred to err on the side of kindness; because I had myself in a measure launched you in the world and thrown you among temptations; and because nothing short of your unwarrantable aggression just now could have made me, with this effect of harshness, break my silence."

Roderick picked up a blade of long grass and began to bite it; Rowland was puzzled by his expression and manner. They were strangely detached and as if unnaturally quiet. "I must have been horrible," he presently resumed.

"I 'm not talking for your entertainment," his companion declared.

"Of course not. For my edification!" And as he spoke the air seemed colder for his breath.

"I 've spoken for my own relief," Rowland went on, "and so that you need never again go so utterly astray as you 've done this morning."

"It has been a terrible mistake then?" What his tone represented was doubtless no direct purpose of 509