Even without the other magician angle, most of Strange's fun Polaris changes are internal. His eye's healed up enough that he doesn't need the eyepatch and he doesn't need to mention 'oh by the way, my bones are now mirrors' until after he and Childermass have a conversation. It would make sense for someone not as changed to try the feelings talk.

But on the other hand, Strange just barely got himself out of a depressive slump. How the hell is he supposed to help Childermass out of one as well?! Still, Strange never backs down from a challenge and he likes Lambert too much to say no.

"I can try," Strange responds, with a little nod. Though, before he does... "Is there anything going on between the two of you that I should know about? If part of his reasoning for not going to England involves...I don't know, a fight or something, it'd be better if I hear it from you than him."

Because he sure as hell wouldn't hear it from Childermass in the first place.