Pretend she's fed him? But... okay, so... if she's bluffing and the food thing is a trick, then that wouldn't discourage anyone. Maybe she doesn't expect to encounter anyone? If the food thing is serious...

Max is quite hungry. If it comes to that... he might be able to steal some food from her house without her noticing, to eat in an emergency. She might not notice she can give him commands until he's escaped, although there's the risk that she might try to command him anyway out of desperation if he does anything too overt to resist her.

For now, at least...

"Will do." and, once they've embarked, "What happens if I eat something that doesn't belong to anyone- an apple off a wild tree, or something?"