"I'm sorry that you've the occasion to understand so personally. And about your mentor."

He has a brief pang as he realizes how long it's been since he's thought about Irving; how little idea he has where the man is, or even if he's still alive. He's not sure he'd describe Irving as a mentor, but there was a time when his good opinion had been central to Julius's life all the same.

"You have given me no reason, on your own merits, to distrust you. Quite the contrary. I've no wish to avoid you, I only thought you should know why I might flinch away from this in particular. What I see that isn't you. But I hope you will say, if you feel I am treating you unfairly. My experiences don't excuse an overreaction in the present."