... what you said, about ... about my "betters," and how getting rid of me would be a win for them.

[ said very quietly. ] You said it was pathetic. I guess ...

[ .... ]

I wanted to know who you meant. Who was the pathetic one. Me, or them.

[ there's ... a tension, in his voice. it's not the bald, sobbing grief from their fight, and it's not even an anger, either. it's an ... uncertainty. a resignation, a wishing. ]