Pleasing, to see Jopson at ease. It feels like a victory, even though he strongly suspects much of it a spiritual exhaustion from socializing. He's come to understand how much the younger man values the quiet, out of the way nature of his job. But even then, he feels comfortable enough to make his wildly indulgent tea and sit with him without being prompted, and so: good.

Crozier just gives him a look. He may be the captain, but they both know who's running the grounds, as it were. He would not like to be gently scolded for scuffing new polish.

"Oh, we can change that with enough practice. One of those every other afternoon?"

—Obviously just messing with him, a teasing smile to go with it.

"Thank you for your good humor. You put a number of would-be wallflowers to rights by leading through example, though they'd never admit it." A beat, then: "Have you eaten?"