Then I said: "Get up.

Pull yourself together; look me in the eye.

Do you know why I laughed ?" "No--but for our blessed Lady's sake, do it no more." "Well, I'll tell you why I laughed.

Because I'm a magician myself." "Thou!" The boy recoiled a step, and caught his breath, for the thing hit him rather sudden; but the aspect which he took on was very, very respectful.

I took quick note of that; it indicated that a humbug didn't need to have a reputation in this asylum; people stood ready to take him at his word, without that.
I resumed.
"I've known Merlin seven hundred years, and he--" "Seven hun--" "Don't interrupt me.