The hum of an answer - isn't an answer, really, but Benevenuta doesn't think Adelaide is expecting one. Or doesn't think she should be; how do you solve a problem like Lecuyer? Patiently or not at all.

"I would not ask her the question," she says, "merely treat her as a friend and allow her the space to do the same."

After all -

She's hardly going to learn to think otherwise of them if she has no opportunities to do so.