Perhaps she can't say. Or doesn't want to say, or she's not sure. Perhaps it's just that it's hard to speak up in her current state. The latter seems to be the most likely case, since after a moment or two Alice finally seems to be able to get herself to think enough about the fire to be able to answer the other. Even if it's a small and very brief answer.
no subject
And then closes again.
Perhaps she can't say. Or doesn't want to say, or she's not sure. Perhaps it's just that it's hard to speak up in her current state. The latter seems to be the most likely case, since after a moment or two Alice finally seems to be able to get herself to think enough about the fire to be able to answer the other. Even if it's a small and very brief answer.
"The kitchen."