[ He stares down at Ken, who even speaking through his impediment is able to ask him so straight-forwardly.

Ah. . . He has been a fool. He must have been, if he has upset the boy held in his arms so badly. ]

Tell you? I cannot— no, perhaps I only have not tried. But I do not know where to begin. I will tell you anything you wish, lay myself bare at your whims.

[ Then, softer: ]

But . . . if you are not ashamed of me yet, it might be only that you have not seen enough to glean the truth of my character.