"That does sound like more expected pirate behavior."

Stede's defense of himself does, in fact, earn some respect from Number 6. This old spy has seen too many people who are all bluster with nothing to back it up. Maybe he doesn't dislike being proved wrong this once. The matter is apparently settled enough for him to start, at last, cutting into his own plate of food.

"I assure you, I don't feel one way or another about it. But at least you can hold your own."