Chapter 4: The Bride at Thirteen Mile

Rand never explains himself in this stretch, and I like him more for it. He asks Elias one question on a dark road, then stands there while the man goes down on his knees — but what stays with me is what he does after: takes that mouthful of black vapor full in the face so Elias doesn't have to, and says only, don't stand there looking at me. I keep wanting the version where somebody thanks him. There isn't one.
Elias says yes to both of Rand's terms, and means one of them for about as long as it takes him to stand up. I'd like to hear how you read a man like that.
If you'd like to read ahead, early chapters are available on my p*****n: https:///zuochuang