Am not sure, but thinking that perhaps Clyde is trying to get his ducks in place.....in the event that Marlena talks to Jordan.....or to Ben. He plays his own games, and is a master manipulator, so if someone said anything about mean, cruel Clyde, he has made sure marlena would be thinking that yes, he was in the past, but is trying to change, blah, blah.
I just do not trust Clyde one iota. He may talk different, but Stefano was the same way. All friendly and nice, but plotting and planning to pull the rug out. Marlena has certainly had plenty of experience with that type, so Clyde may not find it so easy.