Read "The Finer Grain" by Henry James online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
"Well, it's your own fault," Mark replied to that, "if you make me take advantage of you. " Winch had withdrawn his hand, which was back, violently shaking keys or money, in his trousers pocket; and in this position he had abruptly a pause, a sensible, absence, that might have represented either some odd drop of attention, some turn-off to another thought, or just simply the sudden act of listening. His guest had indeed himself -- under suggestion -- the impression of a sound. "Mayn't you perhaps -- if you hear something -- have a call?"
Mark had said it so lightly, however, that he was the more struck with his host's appearing to turn just paler; and, with it, the latter now _was_ listening. "You hear something?"