Sometimes women say what men want to hear. I've heard, anyway—I haven't known women in that manner. But you're capable of sorting out what the truth is, though, Lieutenant Irving, I'm sure.

[ Hickey rests his chin in his hand, the skepticism on his face as plain as the amusement is. ]

I don't imagine that it's a...'perfectly capable performance' the women here are after, though. You might find that you have to turn to a friendly face. Jopson would be willing to martyr himself for the cause, I'm sure. He does so love to help.