"I possessed a far greater number in my own world," he says, "until they were all burned up because of some nonsense I got involved in. Now I'm just trying to build up my collection again."

He doesn't bother going on because she clearly doesn't care. He stops and looks behind him, leaning half out the door to the back. She seems to be Thinking again. He has a vague sense that he should put a stop to that. "Are you coming?" he prompts.