[ Lieutenant Hodgson? Irving blinks one, twice, doing his level best to keep a (more or less) straight face against this offensive accusation. ]
A pity indeed, yes, [ he says, jaw tense. ] Though I'll be sure to ask him all about it if ever I see him again.
[ Because whatever the truth, Irving wants to hear it from Hodgson's mouth, not Hickey's— hard as it is to imagine any even remotely generous interpretation of what Hickey's implying, Irving at least owes Hodgson the benefit of the doubt until he hears otherwise. ]
no subject
A pity indeed, yes, [ he says, jaw tense. ] Though I'll be sure to ask him all about it if ever I see him again.
[ Because whatever the truth, Irving wants to hear it from Hodgson's mouth, not Hickey's— hard as it is to imagine any even remotely generous interpretation of what Hickey's implying, Irving at least owes Hodgson the benefit of the doubt until he hears otherwise. ]