He nods and similarly settles in to wait. If Chang Geng feels like engaging in idle chatter, he will respond. But otherwise Emet-Selch is content to remain taciturn.

Eventually, the old man does stir. Emet-Selch, not really being the gentle, reassuring sort, allows the other man to take the lead in that regard. For his part, he offers the old man the glass of water.

"How fare you?" he asks.