He's really relieved that the hen looks friendly because despite forewarning, he nearly double-takes. Felix gives her a polite nod and "Good afternoon," instead. He's trying not to feel self-conscious about the uniform, and surely the giant hen has seen stranger.

He keeps walking, finding Verity and sliding naturally into the seat opposite her. The argument outside doesn't really draw his attention: where there are stables, he knows, there are always grooms and riders arguing about the care their mounts are getting.

"And there you have the reason I walk," he remarks, thus speaking over the horse's next first-person complaint. He gives her a smile. "I have to thank you for the map."