She actually helped him up after his nunchucks disaster, and admitted she had learned a lot from badger moles, instead of claiming to be a self-taught genius.
Why? Was she concerned about his inferiority complex? He doubted it. It was Toph, after all.
Later on, however, when Katara and Aang were acting bananas, he looked to her for help.
"What's their deal?"
"I don't know. They missed you or something."
Actually... it was really nice to know that. He smiled.
Maybe she was trying to cheer him up.
She added, "I didn't care."
His smile faded.
Then again, maybe not.