See now, how motivating could a little contact be? Lou had already started to suspect Walter of being similar to himself in temperament; being doted on, from the right person, might be a welcome thing, but from a stranger would spur him along quite well. There was the difference, however, in that Lou might kindly tell someone to take their hands off of him before they broke their wrists; clearly Walter was a little more polite, or else tactful, given his more compromised state.

Lou does sit back and immediately take the cloth away. His eyes shine. "Are you sure?"

But he's setting that cloth aside, his free hand beginning to extend between them.