`` i am so sorry for the stupid things i said last night . i stared down at it in amazement , unsure what he expected me to do . he studied , and worked harder than any student i have ever trained save his partner . i think we ought to get to know her , because at her age she could die any minute , and she may leave us something . i listened over my ragged breathing , but no one entered the alley , and no one had noticed my slithering into the dumpster . 