Hythlodaeus reaches out across the table to brush his fingers against his friend's. Even if he weren't paying so much attention, it's obvious that Hades is shaken, one way or another--and Hythlodaeus can only hope that it is not for a bad reason.

"Worry not, Agesandros. I shall yet give you plenty of reasons to throw me over! So do cheer up."

He taps Hades's hand with his finger, then makes a brief noise of surprise, as though something just occurred to him.

"Oh, I've just remembered. There is something I've been wanting to ask you."