Childermass makes a motion with his head that is neither a nod nor a shaking dismissal, but something in between. "It will do, sir, so long as you make an appearance yourself. Say a few words, give them a moment to hear you out. And then you can go back to whatever it is that you would rather be doing. Research. Preparation. Perhaps you might consider this preparation in turn. It is a guarantee of better services rendered. A better guarantee than money will ever be able to buy."

He stands straighter, taking a step back from the desk. "But it is your decision to make, sir." Leaving it up to the other man in the end, he has given him all the tools he needs. Norrell has made the wrong decision after such preparation in the past before, but Childermass is hoping he will have at least heard something of what he'd been trying to get through to him. A leader must lead, not delegate from behind closed doors. Even if mostly delegation should happen anyway, if Norrell wants to make anything of himself at all, then he's going to have to overcome this fear and dislike of such gatherings.