Being in his cassock meant he had no pockets to put the jar, so Priest was obliged to continue holding it when he said, "It's very kind of you to welcome me. Being a native to the Locks I'm sure you're unused to my preaching style, but I hope that in time you'll become accustomed to seeing me in the pulpit."
It was as human as he could allow himself to be for her, and behind his polite facade he was dimly pleased to have made an acquaintance. Despite his position in the community he was not a naturally friendly man, which meant he had never made friends easily. His subconscious wish to remove himself from everyday people contributed to it.
"I hope to meet your mother in the near future that I may congratulate her on having raised such a conscientious daughter."