Gareth bobbed his head in feigned agreement. "Yes, sir." Another sip of wine. Walden's choice of words were touching, and it made Harker's heart skip a beat out of an inclination to the inspiration that arose from the proverbial statement. His eyes seemed to hold a twinkle in them, as if sparking with something divine, as if he could dispose of his lack of confidence, yet still he consciously refused to believe although everything deep within told him to accept what Walden said. His smile returned to his face for the first time that day, and for a moment he froze in silence and finished his wine, him suppressing a burp with all the restraint could manage.