It's still shocking to Robert; he isn't really sure how to react other than with the visceral, almost gushing gratitude that shows itself in the slight trembling of his hands.

"... I... ... I... th-th-thank you..." he mumbles before falling silent, obviously visibly trying to contain the weird mixture of joy and shock that has consumed him.

All his life doctors have been, at best, cold stewards who wanted little to do with him beyond crossing him off a list of to-dos. Nobody has ever offered him even this simple kindness, and he is honestly incapable of doing anything but accepting the unexpected windfall. Maybe there will be strings in the future, but for now the prospect of real, solid knowledge - in his grasp, for nothing immediate - is enough.