"Maybe she just needs some encouragement to feel good about herself."
"You say that, but do you mean it?"
"What sort of question is that?"
"It's just that it sounds like something you saw on TV. Or maybe read. Not like your opinion."
Silence for a few moments.
"I don't know whether to be insulted or..."
"Don't be insulted. Or what?"
"You're right. That was pat, what I said. She's beyond that. But..."
"But what?"
"I'm not happy that you slapped me down like that... we're just talking, y'know? You can't expect me to say everything right. You could've maybe said you disagreed, or prodded me to think more or something. Not made me feel like a fake."
"Sorry."
"No, no. It's... maybe partly my fault. I take myself too seriously."
"You're a serious person."
"Maybe."
"Encouragement couldn't hurt her."
"Won't help though."
"No."