Rita looks up at the magician, seems to consider whether there's anything she can argue in there... and, finding nothing to disagree with, simply replies with, "Hmph." She doesn't want to say so, but he more or less has her figured out.

Francis slinks over closer to her, rubbing his body against her legs as he passes by, then giving Childermass a curious look.

"Well, don't think you'll see me moping around here for long. I know what I have to do. And... it won't be long until we can make a new place. One that's even better than this one was."