Can you learn the one without learning the other, too?

[ But, less glibly - ]

Political history, more than anything else. There's a lot can be done for the people here, and I want to do it. [ And, because she supposes she ought to ask, because proper behavior is not her strong suit but she knows she needs to stay on his good side: ] Did I do something wrong? You know - with the courtesies expected and all that? - Oh, and I am literate, yeah.