[such a suggestion sounded so ridiculous to him he could hardly keep from cracking a smile and laughing. He tried to keep a calm face, playing along] Hm, I dunno about that. Do you think that's why?

[he was leaning on the railing with his forearms but his eyes drifted from the water over to Faye, his tail swaying back and forth behind him slowly. The gesture looked vaguely playful]