Little's admission as to what Hickey told him isn't a surprise to Billy. After all, the latter had already told him about that too, and Billy did not think it sounded like a lie. The fact that the man sitting across from him right now is repeating the same story just confirms that Billy's honesty radar is still working pretty well when it comes to the other. If anything, the use of the word loved is much more interesting. Not that it's wrong to say that - Billy does love Hickey - but.. it's usually not the word he uses for it. He doesn't think he's used it even once, not even to Hickey's face. For a man who struggles with showing emotion and vulnerability, it always feels easier to leave it in more objective terms, and then see how others fill those in.
This is how Little fills it in, apparently. Billy doesn't really mind, as odd as it is to hear that word coming out of this man's mouth, of all people. It is still the truth, and it only makes it easier in the sense that Billy does not have to repeat it himself, yet it's still out there now.
Though, the question itself...
...
He's quiet for a slight moment, thinking of how to answer that one, but then he slowly speaks.
"Do you know why Cornelius carries that grudge against Mr. Irving in particular?" Judging by the way Little speaks of it, Billy thinks the other doesn't. He thinks no one does. After all, he carried out his entire plan exactly to ensure that Irving wouldn't speak of what he had seen to anyone else.
But if the truth is out there now anyway, then it matters very little anymore. There is no need to keep it quiet.
"Mr. Irving caught us. Back on the ship, soon after it got stuck in the ice." There's your indication of how long it has been, Little.. A long, long time. That was years upon years ago at this point, after all. "He lectured Cornelius about it. Told him to satisfy his urges in different ways."
Billy is smart enough to not shittalk Irving in front of Little, given the bond between the lieutenants. There is so much he could say here that he is making very, very sure to keep to himself, only sticking to the facts of the matter. He's pretty sure Little can imagine the sort of lecture that Irving must have given Hickey anyway, given how well he knows Irving.
no subject
This is how Little fills it in, apparently. Billy doesn't really mind, as odd as it is to hear that word coming out of this man's mouth, of all people. It is still the truth, and it only makes it easier in the sense that Billy does not have to repeat it himself, yet it's still out there now.
Though, the question itself...
...
He's quiet for a slight moment, thinking of how to answer that one, but then he slowly speaks.
"Do you know why Cornelius carries that grudge against Mr. Irving in particular?" Judging by the way Little speaks of it, Billy thinks the other doesn't. He thinks no one does. After all, he carried out his entire plan exactly to ensure that Irving wouldn't speak of what he had seen to anyone else.
But if the truth is out there now anyway, then it matters very little anymore. There is no need to keep it quiet.
"Mr. Irving caught us. Back on the ship, soon after it got stuck in the ice." There's your indication of how long it has been, Little.. A long, long time. That was years upon years ago at this point, after all. "He lectured Cornelius about it. Told him to satisfy his urges in different ways."
Billy is smart enough to not shittalk Irving in front of Little, given the bond between the lieutenants. There is so much he could say here that he is making very, very sure to keep to himself, only sticking to the facts of the matter. He's pretty sure Little can imagine the sort of lecture that Irving must have given Hickey anyway, given how well he knows Irving.