A short nod. "Is this the kind of mistake that I should forgive instead of holding it against him?" Ford asks. "Or is forgiving it unbelievably stupid?"

Bill broke his word, broke his trust, and tried to control him. It wasn't done with evil intentions, but it means he's in danger of being manipulated if Bill thinks it's the right thing to do. And he might think Ford will forgive manipulation easily, and try it again.