[ he would never assume to know what has happened to someone else — what there might be in vi's past, what failures she is truly speaking of. and yet... he can't help but wonder if those can, in any way, measure up to the magnitude with which he's, pardon the language, fucked it all up.

he doesn't say as much, of course. instead, he gives her a quiet, hopeless look and shakes his head. ] That is not a comfort, Violet.

[ it only means there is even more suffering out there in the world that could have been avoided.

still, he attempts to answer her with a tone that is no longer quite so desolate, ] The inn is good. I suppose if it keeps me from sleeping on the streets, it is good enough.