Question

as in

"I don't understand the question."

Variations: "What kind of question is that to ask me? .... Your question doesn’t make sense ... I’m not answering a question like that. ... Why are you always asking that question?"

"Guilty, m’lud." You can almost hear him saying it.

He has as good as confessed, hasn’t he? He thinks he is being clever but he might as well throw up his hands in defeat. At least, you would think that was the case.

Doesn’t much matter what you have been asking him ... Where were you last night? ... Why did you drink so much? ... Why were you talking to / smiling at her? ... Why don’t you ever listen to me? ... it seems he will soon have to capitulate. But boys wouldn’t be boys if it was that easy.

The first point to consider here is not that your question is too complicated for him to understand but rather that it’s too simple for him to tolerate.

Whatever he has been up to, he would like to believe that it is full of nuances, subtleties, finesse. In his eyes, expecting him to give a straightforward answer, a blunt Yes or No, is like expecting an Old Master to explain his greatest painting in five words or less.

In his eyes, you are failing to see the beauty, the artistry, the magic in his behaviour.

Also he may be having some difficulty actually hearing the question because his mind is so stunned to have been found out. He likes to think that he has not only been behaving brilliantly but mysteriously. So his mind is reeling at the way you have ... what? ... put two and two together, no doubt.

He thinks he wasn’t being secretive merely for his own protection but to protect the glory of whatever he’s been doing. Like an Old Master might hide a work, so it won’t be tarnished by contact with the world.

And now you have spoilt his game! Naughty girl. Of course, you can’t expect him to answer your question.