[ Fair enough. But, he does cast a sidelong glance in her direction, as though trying to assess if it really isn't at all important.

Maybe taking a different path through the conversation will yield a more productive answer. ]

That was quite distressing, I must say, though not the worst we've seen. Possibly not the worst we're likely to see, either, though I daresay we're perhaps better equipped than some to handle whatever is yet to come.

[ He's optimistic, but that doesn't mean he can't be cautious and realistic alongside that. ]

So there was something a bit odd about this person you met?