"Sounds lovely," he says and means it. He has to remind himself not to offer his arm because as some people have pointed out to him, to most people of a more modern age that's the sort of thing reserved for couples rather than simple courtesy from a man to a woman. That mildly innate tendency quelled, he walks evenly with her stride, whatever that might be.

"I was about to ask you how your day has been, but in truth I'd be glad to hear more of how you've been overall as well," he remarks, polite but conversational all at once, that casual kind of closeness that people beget most easily when there seem to be no expectations in particular.