Cadfael nods slowly. He takes this as a chance to sit down himself for a minute. It did not escape his attention that she was writing. He's no longer surprised, only delighted, by such widespread literacy. Even common folk seem to know how to read and write here.

"I imagine it must have been difficult."

Even if she had tried to shoo him away, she would have find him gentle but insistent that she needs to eat. Those that work themselves unto the point of fainting can barely help anyone. One needs to have strength to be able to share it.

"As many as I can. Even if only with a good word."

Sometimes it's what people need most. Cadfael has seen what wars and natural disasters do to people. What happened here has cast a shadow on the community not all that different from the catastrophes he's witnessed.