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[abitofboth]

Childermass is not a man who could ever be described as cheerful, even by the most charitable of observers. However, at present, he's nudged Mr. Jonathan Strange in the direction of working on the time travel issue (even if it will be months if not more before Strange focuses enough to get much done), he's buried Lascelles (whether or not he's since returned), and he has, perhaps, made progress on some of his own projects. Whatever they may be. (And whether or not they involve robbery.)

All in all, if there were ever such a thing as a good time to approach Childermass, this would be the closest thing to it. He's taking a walk, observing.