[The first remark surprises him, and he stops a moment to stare at her. It's a way of putting it he never thought he'd hear here, and an understanding most he's tried to explain his discomfort with calling them by their Christian names haven't shown.
There might be some new humility to the way he bows his head.]
[action]
There might be some new humility to the way he bows his head.]
It is most welcome, to be quite honest.