Ben hesitated. He didn't like it, and he wasn't sure, if he left, that he would find Melody here when he returned, note or no. On the other hand, Aldous knew too much about the situation for him to just refuse. He could ruin them both with little more than a word to the wrong people. And, despite his reluctance, he did realize that Aldous was trying to do his best by Ben, the same as he always did.

"Let me tell her I'm going in person. No note," he decided. "Then I'll go with you."