He barely acknowledges the way that her hand rubs his arm, though getting out of sight of the room itself seems to help a little. At the question, however, he suddenly looks extremely ill, and starts shaking his head.

"I never -- I never wanted to hurt 'em, Gunny." His voice was almost pleading. "Knew my duty, I did, and I tried to keep it - I tried, but I ain't- I ain't - I wouldn't have left if I thought I could-- I never meant to hurt 'em, either of them, I didn't want to--"