[ They won't need to trudge through snow drifts and, to everybody's surprise, Strange is actually rested. He manages to keep up with Childermass, matching his pace as they head away from the market.

Strange isn't the sort to let a good silence stay put so he just keeps yammering as they walk away. ]

We didn't talk about you too much. Truth be told, she was more interested in the mechanics of magic and the spell that changed us in Portland over you and Steven yourselves.

[ oh right, Steven. Does Childermass know about that? Should he be gossipping about Steven in the first place? Good job Strange, you're blabbing about a teenager. ]