[ A sentiment that Byerly can see clearly in that smile, caught in his peripheral vision. ]
We could, but you don't think we will.
[ Bastien doesn't want to talk him into it. So Byerly ought to let that wish stand. But: ]
Who else might take it?
[ A question he's used before to justify his reluctance to leave the post. Because the answer is clear enough: there is no one. But he asks it this time like it's a question that might have an answer. Non-rhetorically, trying to will someone into existence. ]
no subject
We could, but you don't think we will.
[ Bastien doesn't want to talk him into it. So Byerly ought to let that wish stand. But: ]
Who else might take it?
[ A question he's used before to justify his reluctance to leave the post. Because the answer is clear enough: there is no one. But he asks it this time like it's a question that might have an answer. Non-rhetorically, trying to will someone into existence. ]