It's a relief that he's moving on. She wants to be getting back to the plants, the trees, establishing a feel for the place from life that's rooted in the earth and not simply wandering the streets. Things happening this way saves her the possible offense caused by dismissing him or simply walking away.

She doesn't return the sentiment explicitly. Time will tell if it was good to meet him. But she nods, and doesn't scowl, and as a rule that's more than most people get.