"It's not that. But I wouldn't have- wouldn't have thought to come otherwise." It seems churlish to say he'd have no reason to, but his priorities haven't been directed homeward in a long while.

"She can be rather tetchy. Not that she means anything by it, she's simply less of a people person than I am. All business and no play. But you're a guest and family is important to her." He thinks about how to explain it for a few moments, adds quietly, "I think she's essentially a little mistrustful of new people."