[Oh, no. He really should change the subject so she doesn't say any more. It would embarrass her so badly if she knew. It might still embarrass her later, if she remembers.]

[. . . But that's sort of his role, isn't it? To embarrass her enough that she blurts out the truth, sometimes. That's what brothers do, he's pretty sure.]

When Gonta laughs, it's as though he's been storing up laughter for days and lets it all out at once. Right? It shakes the trees.

. . . You think he wants to leave?