[It's the honesty of the answer that he values, and he can't help but smile just a little on hearing it.]

It is true; I have never needed to explain such things to even one person, let alone a clergy.

[Thank god for that, too, phew! That's a position he sure never wants to be in, for various reasons... As for the incredibly magnanimous offer, he pauses for a moment and then shifts the lanterns in his arms, leaning forward so she can easily grab the top few off without upsetting the stack.]

I appreciate the assistance.

[An equally simple, honest statement.]

There are a few people I said I would pass these out to. If you would like, there will be enough left over for us to send off a couple of our own.