Aaaah, I can hear it now. The AWWWWW and BOOOOO and HIISSSSSS of the apparent copout I just pulled on this page with Ruth's stuck uppedness and the whole "Why" of it. Believe me when I say it, but this will be addressed eventually.
Call it a bit of dramatic tension, and to be honest it IS in his character.
Oh, PS and FYI, we're aware of the date being wonky on the last few pages. ^_^