[The Professor can hardly handle the amount of kindness he sees in the little boy at that moment. What he's done is nothing more than being a decent human being, he believes. But he supposes that is all these children needed, an example of humanity that isn't quite so brutal.

Still, he finds himself getting a little flustered at the child's gratitude. He waves off the thank you as if clearing smoke.]

It is nothing, I insist. If there is anything more you need, please, let me know. My people and I don't have much to offer, but we have shelter, and we have warm clothes. I'm sure that my comrades would be more than happy to help.

[His grin widens, gesturing upward as if pointing to the thoughts gather around him like moths to a flame.]

There are many lessons that must be learned quickly when living on the street. One is knowing that judging people by their character is far more important than judging them by their appearance. Another is that we all must take care of one another, share resources, and depend on one another to survive.

[But obviously, these small children have no one to trust, no one to count on. They need people to lean on.]

We have a settlement below ground in one of the subway tunnels not far from here. I vow that your family will be safe there.