"They're probably upset about the Prophet," Herman said, not interested at all. Once again she hadn't taken his meaning, which was hardly surprising considering how he'd phrased the question, but... "What I meant was--"
He shifted uncomfortably. Now, that was the question. What had he meant, and how could he put it so that she couldn't misunderstand? And did he really want to force the issue now? And what if she laughed, and what if she didn't say anything, and what if he just didn't say anything and she left, but he didn't want her to leave, in fact he really didn't want her to leave, she had no right leaving when he didn't want her to leave, but what if...
He left the phrase hanging too long as he tried to work it out, mind going full speed, tongue frozen.