He doesn't say a firm 'no' because he is weak. He doesn't want to take the responsibility for a firm 'no'.
That's the way I see it when our H is noncommittal.
Me:39 H:40 S:9 D:7 First Bomb ONS:June 07 Second Bomb OW: March 08 Separated: March 08 M:15 yrs T:18 yrs H deep into A with OW Achieved ACCEPTANCE May 30, 09