Childermass sighs. The least he could do is offer him a glass of water? Though the fact that he's rung for help is something at least, he supposes. He wonders who will come, and whether they will have enough sense to care what sort of condition he's in.

"Yes, the vote," he growls, because what the hell else could he be talking about. He knows what sort of reaction this reveal is going to draw out in the other man and he has more than a bad feeling about it. "Mr Norrell, you mustn't continue to go looking for these people," he says, evading the truth of the matter. "They are dangerous. Following down this line will bring you nothing but trouble."