[ He blows out a sigh through his nose, and then says with a crooked smile: ]

To be completely clear: you’re encouraging me to abandon the duties at which I am particularly effective, simply because I do not enjoy them, at a time when the little girl who lives down the lane from me is spending her every waking moment trying to look beneath every rock she can find in case Mama’s under there?

[ He gestures with his cigarette. ]

I don’t think I’m going to spend too long thinking it over. But Maker bless you for being so concerned about my happiness.