The only thing I can guess is that she instantly recognizes him when he enters her shop . . .
I think you've answered your own question pretty correctly thus far. She does recognize him almost at once--she identifies him, to his face, and by his correct name (Benjamin Barker) before the scene is out. She's thrilled to see him again, and she doesn't want to lose him again. She knows that if she sells him one of her lousy pies without a warning, he'll spit it out, leave instantly, and she'll never see him again. So she prepares him, hoping he'll forgive her for the badness of the pies, and stick around--which he does. |
