"I'm sorry for that. But you're anticipating better times ahead, I hope?" Just like before, he seems quietly eager to help. It's the Merlinian code to try to help others, and when he's gotten to know somebody this well, it's even more personal. He wants to fix whatever's broken, and make sure her life is changed for the better.

Are there shoelaces? The cat is definitely on the alert for shoelaces. Or anything loose that looks like a good toy, really. Fascinating new interesting-smelling things Horvath brings home must surely be toys.