Are magicians incapable of conceptualizing the world or themselves in a way that doesn’t involve magic? Lambert wonders. It’s starting not to feel like it.

Lambert shakes his head; Childermass’s misunderstood his point. “I think the Summer Court would be happy to have the Ringmaster taken. But maybe they’ll fight Winter for their own sake, that keeps one enemy off our back. If we can get help from the Summerlands, maybe...”

And Childermass asks that, of course. The Gamma’s expression mostly remains neutral, Lambert’s tone light and mocking.

“Why not? Maybe I just like the look, and I don’t feel like stripping a technician for clothes.”