Effy remembered the reverence in his tone when he’d recited those lines from “The Mariner’s Demise.” We all have our reasons for doing what we do. Maybe there was a reason he’d attached himself to Myrddin. Maybe it wasn’t just shameless opportunism. Suddenly, and against all odds, she actually felt sorry for goading him. Preston lifted his glass and downed it in a single swig, without even grimacing. When he was finished, he glanced toward her untouched gin and tonic. “Are you going to drink that?”
“felt sorry for goading him” / Maybe say that *to him*, then? Say "I'm sorry" because it's the right thing to do, and also so he doesn't think you're stewing in xenophobic hate???
Also, I'd need to drink heavily to deal with this prejudiced and agressively ignorant person, too.
