Of course Childermass would not miss such an opportunity to investigate the Redbright Institute and have a legitimate reason for being there. Not that he really has any reason to be gathering such information, but one never knows. He takes a special interest in the library, taking note of what books there are there and the variety of them, being familiar with a lot of the titles from Norrell's own personal collection and some, even, that have escaped the man himself. Not that he would tell him that of course. He knows how Norrell gets when he finds out about books he does not have, and besides, most of which are not on topics the man would collect anyway. The Institute does not solely accept witches, after all.

Childermass is, of course, a member of Circle Daybreak and the Night Council both. Which means that across both factions, he has the ability to vote for Sylvia's right to stay in her chair. Moreover, he has attended several sessions by now and several personal conversations between her and Norrell besides, being the man's personal assistant. Isn't the democratic process wonderful, to have your future resting in the hands of those such as him, Sylvia?

"How generous of you, to put aside such a time as this during such a busy time of the year," Childermass comments to her, knowing well why it is that she's done so.