I understand, [he said, nodding.] All I'm saying is that he says those things 'cos that's the sort of person he is, not because of his past. [He tapped his nose.] There's a difference. Although, [he added, sounding cheerful,] I'm sure that sort of language is probably illegal in a few countries. Wouldn't be surprised.
[And with that, he decided, the conversation was over. He steered it towards more inconsequential things, the sort of things watchmen ought to be talking about on patrol--stuff that didn't really matter, so you could let your mouth go while your brain worked. And eventually, he slipped into his own sort of comfortable silence.
He didn't like trees and grass much. He knew that. But somehow, in the dark of night, walking alongside another officer with the rain beating down it, he had to admit it wasn't that bad.]
ENDTAG!
[And with that, he decided, the conversation was over. He steered it towards more inconsequential things, the sort of things watchmen ought to be talking about on patrol--stuff that didn't really matter, so you could let your mouth go while your brain worked. And eventually, he slipped into his own sort of comfortable silence.
He didn't like trees and grass much. He knew that. But somehow, in the dark of night, walking alongside another officer with the rain beating down it, he had to admit it wasn't that bad.]