"I'm not planning to quit on a whim," Simon replies, a bit more heat coming into his voice. It's amazing how Norrell manages to annoy him despite his depression. And his attempts to be brave and noble (not to mention charitable to the beetle-eyed little man across the table).

"I have skills that could be useful to the Night Council. I have some talent as a biologist, you know, and I've almost finished my degree."

He sighs.

"I'm not entirely useless, Mr. Norrell. Despite what you may think."