I don't think the paragraph I rewrote contradicts Ruby telling you that the narrator can't know the emotions of the other person. The re-write illustrated the use of her appearance - the look she gave - which is easily interpereted.

I agree with you about descriptions of people to a degree. They should not be, for the most part, completely ignored. Also, certain descriptions, even vague ones, can lend to the character and make the reader feel closer to them.