[she doesn't take the hand right away, still squinting at him, as if trying to find some other meaning behind his words -- maybe some slight in her regard. she shouldn't expect that every time someone questions her, should she? and yet.]

...

[she does take the hand and hoists herself up with a little huff.]

I'm not keen on those I'm up against closing their ears to me...so I won't close mine to them. Not until there's nothing left to hear.