"You're welcome. It's the truth," Gordon says. And finds himself a little bit at a loss for words; he lets out a huff of breath, trying to think what ought to come next-

"But as long as we are coming at this from such-" He waves a hand vaguely. "Different directions? Positions?... anyway, could you do me a favor? Warn me if I say or do something that's... you know, not what you were expecting to hear? I'm not used to talking things through."