"Boldness is better on the page than at the table," he countered amicably, but put on a show of being properly cowed by her tsking, bowing his head towards her in a little tableau of shame. "I am but a humble man of humble means," he continued, still putting on his show, "I can't help it if I'm simple."
He finally raised his head just enough for his eye to meet hers, and winked.