"Oh, that is . . ." Lindsay began tentatively, but Miles had already pocketed the offering, amiably calling out, "Evening, sir," as they strolled away.
* * * * * * * * * *
The naïve and credulous part of me that wants to believe the best in people (which the Non-Certified Spouse is always chastising me for) and also the part of me that is fairly better than average at the comprehension of literature thinks Lindsay was about to politely decline the offer of money, seeing as how there was no harm done and a bit uncomfortable about the racial implications of the entire encounter. This is almost certainly the case because Lindsay begins "tentatively," as if he's uncomfortable with the transaction and the implication that these boys might be angry enough to get this man beaten or arrested.
But there's also the cynical side of me that can't stand Lindsay and is ready to portray him as nothing more than an exaggerated elementary school hall monitor whose power has gone to his head. That side of me wants to believe Lindsay was about to severely scold this man for not only trying to con them but also thinking they would take his unlawful bribe to keep quiet about his scam. "Oh, that is beyond the pale, my good man, thinking that we would turn our eyes away from your demeritorious behavior by accepting your monetary offering?!" I mean, I want to believe this but I'm too good a reader to simply pretend something in the text is the way I want it to be and then delude myself into actually believing it and then to crusade for my reading of the text to be the only true way to read it, thus demanding millions of people denounce the author for my misinterpretation.
Sorry. I couldn't help slipping some of my commentary on "Tumblr deconstructionism" into this post!
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