"Oh." Well, he doesn't seem too disappointed in that; facts are facts! He just looks at the page and starts reading each word slow and steady that he knows — to, and, plan — looks up, something hopeful in the way he leans close, because he can only hope he's doing a decent enough job that Ned will be proud of him — her, was —

He manages to pronounce basket with a little urgency, like it was the final level of a video game he just had to beat.

"Eh...aht."

Eat. It was supposed to be 'eat'.

Letters confuse him. puh-lan was easy.