It wouldn't have been dismissive, it would have been the truth. Jake knew how busy Dirk commonly kept himself-- otherwise his lack of sleep would catch up with him and he'd fall flat on his face. They both knew that. He sat away enough to rub at his face, and Bec wandered back into the room. The beastly dog immediately came to them and laid his head across their legs, looking up at them sadly.

"Can I ask for you to stay for a few days," he wondered, taking a moment to look at his knees before he looked up at Dirk.