Wordy, this pompous bloke. The apology, explanation, and offer made Hugo's furrowed brow soften, albeit by degrees.
"I have hungry wildcats to feed, sir, and now their dinner has bloody minerals in it," Hugo shot back, crouching down. He scooped up handfuls of ice and raw meat, placing it all back into the box. He could have just as easily used his wand to do it, but he needed to judge how much muck was on the meat. He needed to feel the texture.
The work of it also helped cool his temper. What was done was done. Yelling or escalating wouldn't change the fact that his steaks were dirty.
"I just took the butcher's last cuts of the day, so there's no replacing the meat. At least not today. How am I going to clean these steaks and not wash off all the blood?" Hugo wasn't expecting an answer and he didn't wait for one. He stood up again and brushed his hands off on his jeans before offering one to the bloke. "I'm new here too. Hugo Weasley. The zoo caretaker. Sorry about your, uh, journal." Hugo belatedly noticed that it was covered in mud.