If he answers, they'll get sidetracked, he knows it. Wrong isn't always wrong. It's more complicated than that and right now he needs to focus on explaining something else first. He pushes on, holding her gaze and ignoring her question, at least temporarily.

"If I told you I was going to give it up, because I'll be old by the time I do anything I consider important, or because it takes continuous work... What would you say to me?"