Later Much comforts Alan again with the matter of the joke, while they are searching for useful firewood. Although it doesn't go as planned.
"Why do you always have to say such stupid things?" Much asked, looking angry at Alan.
"Excuse me!" Alan said, surprised. He didn't see that coming, it had been an hour ago when Kate ran off.
"YOU know what I mean!" Munch lay the branches down on the ground and moved in front of Alan." You always try to hurt her feelings! Is it because of me? Do you hate me so much that you try to spoil my chances?" He said, angry.
"Hey, easy Mate!" Alan said, pushing Much away from him. "I didn't know that she would react like that!"
Much did a step forward to Alan. "Then don't make such irritating jokes!"
Alan felt that he was being treated wrongly by Much. "You laughed too!"
"Yes, but that's different!" Much yelled, making Alan's ears drums shake of the pressure he put in his voice.
"How is that different?" Alan didn't understand why everyone was making such a big deal about it towards him, the problem lay with Kate, not him. How could he have predicted how she would react, she seemed totally aware that jokes could hurt someone's feelings. And he thought that Robin had calmed her down already, when she came back and went to sleep no tears showed on her face.
"I can handle it!"
"And that little.. witch can't? That's bullshit!" Alan said, thinking it was really unfair that Much reacted like he did.
"Now you're going to far!" Much yelled, his face turned red and he hit Alan in his stomach, making him drop to the ground.
Alan fought back, bitting Much in his leg and making him fall to the ground too. They hit each other several times, boldly around without seeing where. Both had some direct hits, but also hurt themselves sometimes.