"I suppose I should have asked my mother to teach me some things when I was younger, but I didn't expect to lose her."

So yes, that's a downer, and he tries to shake it off.

"Do you think we can get some of the kitchen comforts again? In this house. Like in the dorms? The rest of this place does not seem up to that level."

But the idea of being taken... He smiles.

"Yes, that sounds lovely."