Matt doesn't drop the cane: his head jerks back as if he can see the right hook coming, his other arm coming up to block. He catches her blow before she gets him right in the glasses, feeling the shock of it traveling up his forearm with enough force that he'll bruise tomorrow. Where Stick would've immediately retaliated, Matt shows that he hasn't got to that point yet. Not against someone he just met. He stands there with his arm raised and the cane in the meanwhile has somehow tangled itself neatly between Sarah's legs, ready to twist between her knees and send her pitching to the floor if she takes another swing at him with her other hand.

“I'm guessing that's your way of saying 'hi',” Matt replies and he offers up a mild smile bordering more on professional than friendly. Most of it's to hide the way his heart is still hammering in his chest. “Should I change?”

It occurs to him he would've been better off showing up for his first day officially in HYDRA in something that wasn't a business suit: there's professionalism and then there's mobility and suddenly that second one seems very important. The tie around his neck is suddenly a possible weapon, same with the glasses he never actually needed. If Sarah is willing to take a pot-shot at him like that, he figures the smartest thing to do is make sure he isn't covered in weapons she can use against him. The hand on the cane tightens as if he's bracing himself.