Bruce considers comments about paying Alfred more, or simply hiring an animal trainer but neither sees the light of day, so to speak. What it all really boils down to is that this isn't a mess that Alfred should be cleaning up for him. Bruce did this so he needs to fix it. Alfred already does more than enough for him, after all.

Pulling himself away from Alfred, Bruce sits up on his knees and manages a small smile for his friend (the friend he's very glad to have back. The friend that he came very close to driving out of his life forever. Despite his want and need for Alfred's return, Bruce wouldn't have blamed him one bit for not giving in, for deciding to part from Bruce permanently). He'll consider this a win, even if it did come with what could be seen as an underhanded tactic. But such things are necessary out in the real world, aren't they?

"Buying new clothes all the time sounds a little too ... socialite, anyway." For the usually rather reclusive Bruce Wayne, that is. Despite recent evidence, of course. He'd much rather keep to himself for the most part. "So we should keep you from getting too hurt, shouldn't we?"

Then he looks down at his hands, smile fading. Speaking of hurt... "I'm sorry Alfred, for the way I've treated you recently. You didn't deserve any of that. You were only trying to help me."