[ For all that Jopson is very good at keeping his opinions to himself, something visibly hardens in his expression as Irving speaks of clemency to Hickey of all people. And if he uses that as an excuse to not address Irving's questions, and not expose his own immoral degeneracy as it were, then all the better for him. He's gone three years without Irving sniffing him out, he's not about to start being obvious about it now. Not yet, anyway. Not until he thinks Irving's ready to hear it.

The hardness of his expression follows through in tone. Hickey is the real problem here, not his own inclinations. ]

I'm sorry sir, but we cannot. Mr. Hickey's not concerned about us being united, I can guarantee it, and his redemption, be it even possible, should not be your concern with what he did to you. Surely...you remember what happened?