But if she knew y'could only lie, then you'd be off the hook, wouldn't you? She'd get real mad, then she'd remember, and it'd be —

[ 'inappropriate for a public discussion', like triza used to say, ]

— Anyway, got no clue how you lose it without getting old as sin, so guess we gotta wait on that deliverance. 'Course, could only be deaf to th'whining and still reap that reward.

[ she'd never be able to hear herself if that were the case, but, ]

Guess being blind'd give you an out on telling her she's pretty, though.