‘And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “To find favour in the sight of my lord.” '
Esau here refers to the droves which had been sent in front (Genesis 32:13-21), some of which at least he had come across. Jacob makes no pretence. They were as gifts to an important person in order to ensure favourable treatment. Note the use of ‘my lord.' The watchful subservience is still there. Outwardly all is well but Jacob is well aware that what is on the surface is not necessarily the reality. He judges the straightforward Esau by his own standards.