He didn't react at first, standing still with the same expression he bore when he asked in the first place. Finally he exhaled, long and low, and muttered "yes, you would believe that..."

After a moment, that stony expression changed. His eyes tightened and he leaned forward over the desk. "You have been away from the world. Those of us who live in society know the importance of these issues, or we ought if we have been paying attention. You will learn full well, if not from me then from merely your stay here. And then you will return to me with an answer."