"Definitely," Ana answered immediately. It was obvious that there had not been much positive reinforcement in this young man's life, and she had to wonder just how well he'd be doing had he received any. Because she had not been lying when she said he was bright, clever, and had potential.
The serving girl returned then with the simple foods Ananya had ordered, and she smiled graciously and thanked the young woman. Then she rearranged the food, as though she was picking what she wished to eat first, making certain that a good deal of it was within reach of the young man. As she did so, she commented, "You just had a political discussion with a member of the ruling class, and made very viable arguments. More than that, when presented with an alternate conclusion, you did not dismiss it out of hand, but considered the argument. I have known ambassadors and counselors to kings that didn't possess those skills, or the ability to use them half so well."
She could have added that was what he was capable of now, imagine what he could do with an education. But she didn't want to push him so hard that she pushed him away, and she could see that he was the independent sort. So instead she moved one of the plates of cold meat just a bit closer to him.
"Please," she offered, "help yourself if you wish, I believe my eyes may have been bigger than my stomach and I certainly don't want it to go to waste."