“Fine, fine, you just stay at home, read yer book–” He stops himself suddenly. “Oh, damn, sorry, no, I didn’t mean that. I forgot.” And the weird thing is, he seems sincere. There’s a moment of quiet where his Noise pulses again with that strong feeling he’s hiding– That something he’s trying to bury that makes him feel– And then he says, “You know . . .” and I can see the offer coming and I don’t think I can bear it, I don’t think I could live another minute if he says it out loud. “If you ever wanted me to read it for–” “No, Davy,” I say quickly. “No, thanks, no.” “You sure?” “Yes.” “Well, the offer’s there.” His Noise goes bright again, blooming as he thinks about his new title, about women, about me and him as brothers. And he whistles happily all the way back to town.” RedemptionBrotherhoodTodd HewittDavy Prentiss Book:The Ask and the Answer Source: The Ask and the Answer