James smiles at him. "Fair enough. We could trade too, if that'd help it not feel so - uh - your drawers in the wind, so to speak. I ... kind of hate listening to people saying my cousin's awful and wanting me to change what he does?"

He fiddles with a bit of turnip and his spoon. "Kind of like - this is a no for you, and that's a no for me. Because Mervin trusts me, and I know most of what he puts up with, but -"

He's not sure R would get it. Well, R definitely seemed to get it about the drinking. With barely any information. "I wonder if I could offer - some winter clothes or mitts for the kid. It's rough. Mervin was lucky enough to get in off the streets in winter. Or ... unlucky. I think that was part of his problem. Having to say sorry enough to get let back in."