Van Ostrand was trying hard to avoid a direct answer.

"I was hoping to send you home," David said, avoiding a direct answer.

Was she being careful, or trying to avoid an answer that would hurt so deeply?

Was she saying yes with kisses, or avoiding an answer?

"All you animals were made for us to eat," commented the Man, avoiding an answer to the direct question.

"I have never understood the female capacity to avoid a direct answer on any subject."

He looked about, not wanting to be seen talking to me, but could not avoid an answer.

With that, he neatly avoided a direct answer to Marty's question.

It's one thing to be asked a personal question and slither around avoiding a direct answer.

There was no way he could avoid a direct answer this time.