(What he wants to say -- to shout, if he's honest with himself -- is something about how insane that is, how completely idiotic, do they seriously think the population of Three Hills can't possibly produce anyone who could benefit from a genuine education, can they really be that stupid --)

(And he won't, because she knows, and because hearing him vent about it won't help.)

"I'm sorry," he says, low, and rests his hand on her shoulder again.