There are apparently others who have this affliction. Mary briefly wonders if it's contagious and if she ought to be touching Jonathan's arm. She notices that they move through the shadows now and that Jonathan seems much more comfortable there. Is he ashamed of his appearance?

"That's noble of you, Dr. Reid. You are a good man." She pauses for a moment. "I haven't told you how happy I was to find someone here who is so familiar with my time and the world I come from."

They're only a few years removed, even if much did change in those years.