Monty didn't know what Ishmael meant by his 'no'. Did things not seem quiet? He turned to look at Ishmael inquisitively. Had he heard someone approaching? Monty went on alert until Ishmael finished speaking.

"Oh," Monty said, not quite sure what to say. "As I said, why wouldn't it be?" That was a lie and Ishmael probably knew it but Monty didn't particularly care at the moment. He also did not know what Ishmael had been expecting him to say.