Iain M. Banks, "Look to Windward"

Ziller: Oh, hello, Kabe. You still here? How are you, anyway?
Kabe: I am well. And yourself?
Ziller: Beset by idiots. Good job I'm used to it.
Kabe: Present company excepted, I hope.
Ziller: Kabe, if I suffered only one fool gladly, I assure you it would be you.
Kabe: Hmm. Well, I shall take that as I hope you meant it rather than as I suspect; hope is a more pleasing emotion to the spirit than suspicion.
Ziller: Your reservoir of graciousness astonishes me, Kabe.