He's been warned already that the phraseology of his explanations regarding the cape is more unnerving than comforting, but he views himself as a teller of painful truths. Possibly he's trying to take after Gabriel a bit without being quite as much of a troll. In any case, he at least has yet to tell the new arrivals false information.

"No trouble at all. It's best for us to learn to rely on one another as quickly as we can." He follows her gaze and smiles sheepishly. "I was collecting food. Dandelion, purslane, chicory. The food supply is a bit iffy lately."