"Well," he says, in a tone that is carefully considering. He is flushed, now, with the drink, and still not entirely sure he understands. "I am sorry for not noticing what, perhaps, I should have. Though I admit that when I'm not sure of someone, or I know I am disliked, it is much easier to simply... not engage that person. Perhaps I should not default to that."

He goes to take another sip -- his glass is getting close to empty, now -- and then pauses as Claudius' other observation catches up to him. He sets the glass down again. "I would not have let Gertrude's time and care go to waste, of course. And I do know how Laertes feels for me... but Sagramore? We are friends, yes. I think I would call him brother even if that weren't already set by our service together. But again, I don't think I don't know thy meaning-- what is there to envy?"