[There is a very small pause, before he answers. It's not that the discussion is making him uncomfortable, because he's way past that, but he doesn't want to misrepresent things... or give too much information. So he needs to figure out what's in between.]

Mother had some... misguided concepts about my upbringing. She has not explained to me why either of the waiting, but I assume it is because she did not find it necessary for me to know them sooner.

My dedication to her was very strong, for a long while, so I assume it was an effective tactic.