That actually does make him laugh - a genuine one, this time. He doesn't want to enjoy himself, doesn't want to smile in front of her. He feels ashamed even now - perhaps especially now - and can't fathom why she'd want to laugh and joke with him. He doesn't think she should. After all, how can she possibly really accept a return to the way things were before? How could she? But that's a genuinely funny joke, and so he can't help himself.

"In the meantime, I don't suppose you have a Betan sarong I could use to cover myself with," he says. "I assure you, I do look quite fetching in them."