If the earth could swallow him and trap him in the very depths of hell, Aldous decided, it would be preferable to this moment. His options "I didn't ask," he replied calmly.

In fact, the existence of his brother's job was something Aldous had had to remind himself of when he did return to find the house empty of his siblings and did, admittedly, begin to worry that Melody had snatched him up like a monster from a children's story. That had been the better part of an hour ago, though, and the wizard had since had time to come to his senses and maintain a slightly frazzled form of relaxation in the parlour.

"I am glad to hear it, though," he added. Aldous knew Reuben did not particularly wish to be here but was sticking it out for him. However, the 'few days' they had agreed upon would certainly stretch if they didn't have their discussion soon, but Aldous was not altogether certain how, precisely, to broach the subject.