"Yes," Jacques replied, not really wanting to expand on the subject. How could he see any sort of relationship with his father as anything but the grossest of degradations? "It, ah... it is not humility on my part, just a general reticence."
He raised his eyebrows. "Rude, loud, and unwelcoming? I have found icy politeness, to the point of impoliteness, to be de rigueur. I am sorry that you, ah... were forced past the limits of your emotional self-control. May I help you in any way?"