I feel like it is a broader pattern. At the river he noticed her reaction with the kelpie and became concerned, even though no one else saw it, but he played it cool. He also is the only professor who does not cancel class when it rains, despite it obviously making him look like a jerk and requiring him to slog in from the parking lot in the rain. It may be a delicate thing in which he must act totally as if nothing were happening, or it breaks the spell and butter knife guy or rain guy or whoever is up next gobbles him up when he tries to show up for work.

Prof knows exactly what’s up, and he has found that studiously ignoring (“acknowledge the thought, then set it aside and don’t give it any more space in my head”) is the key to long-term survival. That’s why he would watch but not accompany you - it would not do to be right beside you and have you look up and freak out when it inevitably followed you both.

> You should have constructed the most difficult, convoluted grocery list of all time.

>Bananas, a bunch of 5 with 2 unripe

>Grapes, but with none loose in the bottom of the bag

>Deli meat, freshly sliced to half the width of a finger nail and only complete perfect slices

>Swiss cheese, each slice may only have 6 holes

>1,913 organic coffee beans

>Rachel Ray Nutrish refrigerated dog food (only If you don't actually have a dog)

Then she really would want to kill him.