Mattie didn't really understand Nicholas' tone when he tried to amend his statement about the weapons. His words tripped over themselves and he ended up finishing with a frustrated-sounding "never mind", which drove the point home that he didn't trust her. She couldn't exactly blame him, though her expression changed from puzzled to hurt, for the most fleeting of moments, and then became deadpan. So, misunderstanding him, she said, "I'm fine with the knife, but thank you." 

She leaned over and peered with concern at Cole, then straightened herself up as they walked. The cogs of her mind were going, but she couldn't think of any great ideas. All she could think of, she said aloud. "There's some hippie just outside town who owns--or, owned--goats. Sold their milk and cheese. Maybe they're still there." She hoped they were, because the only other option that came to mind was feeding the baby chewed-up food, the idea of which made her wrinkle her nose. 

"No one's prepared to suddenly find a baby," she added quietly. "They weren't prepared for me, after all," she continued in a joking tone.