He hears her come in, but doesn't move from where he's setting up in the kitchen. There's a chair in the middle of the space. There's no electricity in this house, but daylight streams in from a window above the sink.

"Oh, good, my babysitter has arrived. I was starting to think I might have to put myself in time out, without you here to do it for me."

He speaks loudly enough for her to hear, but more casually than she's heard him speak before, as he continues his tasks.