That, at least, is going to get a short, cynical laugh out of the witcher.

"Should I take that as a compliment, or an insult?" Lambert quips, because he really, truly doesn't know what Childermass means. He's so difficult for Lambert to read like this, and it's part of what he likes so much and what drives him crazy.

"So if you're not here to make fun of me, you want me to ... what? Stay away?" He already thought he'd been doing that -- not actively avoiding Childermass, but giving him as much space as two people living in the same Carnival could have. Maybe the magician doesn't think it's enough.