Claudius cannot help but smile at that spark of conviction. Laertes would not, he think, be himself without it. And perhaps Claudius would not be himself if, despite all his protestations that will not steer Laertes, he did not offer his opinion. "Be gentle," he say, touching curled fingers to Laertes's forehead, "when thou speak'st to him, or he will think thou art censuring him. He will think it regardless ... but thou shouldst not cease to offer aid, or he will never learn to take it. Old men such as we, who have only ever relied on ourselves, have stubborn hearts." He laughs, soft. "Thou shouldst hear how Galahad scolds me."