There is every valid reason for Kit to be bringing this project to him--Vandelin should, by rights, be flattered to be trusted with it. He can't help but resent Kit for it nonetheless. Vandelin has never been able to keep himself from blaming others for reminding him of his own mistakes.

His eyes scan Kit's face impassively, wide and luminous and recording every detail of bruise and stitch. He imagines, in spite of himself, reaching out to touch and cradle and soothe--

--imagines, too, being rebuffed in that way Kit always had, and takes the papers without another glance.

"Thank you," he says. "I'm sure we can make good use of it."