Well, she does a good job at heading off argument, doesn't she — he opens his mouth to retort and has to wait till she's done with that instead. He flinches, reflexively, but otherwise lets her get on with the work.

"I've said I can't pay you back," he insists when she's done with that. "I meant it."

The kindness of strangers has extended to the occasional scarf against the wind, roof or food in exchange for either work or coin. More often grudgingly given than not, being honest. Things that seemed too good to be true typically have been. So what could she want? He doesn't want to try seeking out another homestead, but he will if he has to.