Patricia looked up at Billy Thompson. "Now I'm asking. Can you take it?"
"I can take it," said Billy. "Tell me to go and jump in the lake, if you want. I did what I did because—"
"Billy, it was rather nice."
"It—?"
"I liked it."
"Ah ... er—"
"Billy?"
"Yes?"
"Best you can do?"
The silence was significant. Kennebec, eavesdropping, swallowed deeply, and left quietly.