"That's true enough," he admitted, looking at Chilton with the sort of curiosity that said that he was starting to pick things up. Chilton had a distinct interest in Karla Sofen, whether it was romantic or not that's what remained to be seen.

Not that he minded, of course. He and Karla weren't exclusive, after all. He smiled up at him, as if it weren't something to bother him -- the question. After all, he was just commenting idly, wasn't he? Gossip about a mutual acquaintance.

"She likes to choose her own path, and who could blame her?" although, if he had his way, he would say that there were ways of influencing things, too. He hoped to influence her toward a better position, if just because he knew -- inherently -- that it was possible. With most people, it was. They could do something greater than they expected.

"Hopefully, nobody thinks to outright push her, huh?"