On the scale of how that could have worked out, Childermass supposes that things could have gone worse. After all, Norrell could have lost. As hard as it is for the other man to believe that they have come to such an impasse, Childermass can only imagine how insufferable Norrell might become if and when he should fail. He will just have to do his best to see that he does not, he supposes.

Childermass sits back and waits until the other man is done with his ranting. He waits until he has done his pacing, his railing, his ringing of his hands. It is only then that Childermass raises his eyebrows at the other man in question as he watches him collapse into his chair at last, as if to ask, 'Are you done now? Do you feel better? Am I free to speak at last?'