“You have split ends,” she repeats, as if saying it again will somehow make it clearer what she intends by this. After a moment, as if conceding to the fact he looks as if he's going to clutch the bedsheets protectively against his chest at any moment, she says, in a slightly conciliatory tone, “I want you to let me fix your hair, tidy your hair. A little trim, a deep conditioner. I have very gentle hands.”

--which was not strictly true about an hour ago. By the way.

“I know what I'm doing, hm? Let me look after you a little bit.”

More. There may be a joke to be made here about the fact their acquaintance grew largely out of her treating his scrapes; Benevenuta doesn't make it, but she does seem pleasantly aware of its potential presence.