Turlough shook his head. 'Is it any wonder I was so keen to leave this ridiculous country behind? Everyone here is completely barking mad.'

'Oh, you think so, do you, sir?' The mouse-like man drew himself up to his full height and glared at the schoolboy.

'I do actually, yes,' Turlough jeered. 'And as for all that sucking up you all do to royalty and the nobility and the like, I've never heard such outdated nonsense!'