Childermass offers something of a sarcastic bow in response to the other man's words. It's obvious to him that he's getting on his nerves, and it's just as clear that he doesn't really seem to care about that fact at all. He is nothing if not his own man, despite the fact that Norrell pays his salary.

"You seem an intelligent man, sir," he says. "I do not think it difficult for you to put the pieces together. Neither of us vampires, and neither of us recognizing the other, that rather puts us at opposite sides of this struggle. Unless, of course, we are to claim ourselves innocent bystanders." He puts his hands in his pockets and steps sideways, away from the light, so that suddenly he is half in shadow. "But I think we both know just as well that such would be a lie as well."