Sometimes he'd wondered just how Sloane had befriended Miss Thompsett, they had always seemed so different, but he could see that same stubborn sort of independence in situations like this. "Please, I've made a mess of the conversation somehow, it's the least I can do." Not to mention Sloane might smite him from the beyond if he didn't, but something kept him from saying that thought aloud. Sloane was still a sticky subject, easy to reminisce about, but hard to talk about outside of that.

"You can just hang it up when you come back in." He doubted anyone would bat an eyelash. He wouldn't need it inside, as long as Mrs. Potts didn't hang him for not having it on for company. Alvin continued to hold it out, hoping she wouldn't put up too much of a fight. It wasn't like he could argue with her and he wouldn't push either, but he would feel better if she wasn't out here freezing.