"Ahh, 'tis a pity," he said. "I mostly know how to cook French cuisine."

Which sounded far grander than it actually was. He was no D'Angelline chef, to make a sumptuous meal out of a handful of grain, but he had made dinner often enough for himself and his mother that he was deft in the kitchen at least.

"Though, did you wish it, I could always try to improvise...?"

Either they'd agree and he'd feed them and they'd enjoy the meal. Or they'd refuse and he'd still get the credit for offering. Either way, 'twould reflect well upon Xanthippe.