His hands tightened around his knees, and he leaned forward, fixing his gaze directly on me. With a hint of shyness, he finally spoke his mind. "I was going to say... I hoped that the man who had the privilege o" bein" wi" ye afore me was as generous as ye were wi" me." He smiled, his blush deepening. "But, on second thought, that didna quite come out richt. Whit I meant was... Weel, all I wanted tae say was thank ye."