His spine straightens almost instinctively at the question, but the surprise is short-lived. He pulls his hands back with no further prompting than the aggravated tug and complaint provide, pursing his lips and sighing in disapproval. He feels no call to apologize. Perhaps he had been staring, but it seems obvious to him that the boy is simply trying to get a rise out of him.

"It certainly is not," he says, as terse as he had been a moment ago. "Everything I have told you is true. Now, I imagine from your actions that you do not need my help, but perhaps if you would calm yourself for a moment I might explain your situation better."

If he can deign to be civil.