He'd meant to warn, and only sounded rude; that much is clear, from the reaction he gets in return. As his new--acquaintance? companion? partner in imprisonment? the terms seem ill-defined--twists, looking for an easy exit, Darlington can't help a wince.

"It's not you," he promises. "Or that I want to be alone, it's...well, I'm not certain you'll be able to get up again."