"She... has a unique way of expressing herself." Ned knows that it's not really River's choice, after all, the way she speaks. At times it is poetic, at others amusing, but he tries not to let him loose sight of the fact that she can't really communicate in any other fashion, and that it's unlikely she enjoys how much it throws everyone, at first. Her approach to being different is not the same as Ned's, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard for her, on occasion. "But she was my first friend here, and she's the best little sister you could ask for."

He appreciates Riley's understanding, that she lets him know she's willing to listen, but still curtails her curiosity for anything beyond that. But he doesn't change his mind. He remembers the way it was, at boarding school, when all the other boys knew he was the one whose father had just left him there. No doubt Riley wouldn't react anything like they did, but she would still know.

"Maybe another time."

And then, because he wants to take attention away from his own lack of answer, and because he's genuinely curious, he leans his elbows on the table and asks, "Riley, what's your favourite flavor of pie?"