Childermass is not one for them himself either. Not exactly anyway. He will never be seen making a claim for territory or a bid for a seat on the Night Council. Not in the foreseeable future anyway. But he is under the service of Mr Norrell, a great man who just happens to need a terrible amount of guidance. And so he does his part, in a backwards sort of way. He just doesn't get the credit for it. He makes rather certain that no one notices him at all. It's better that way. For Norrell and himself both.

"A practical scientist," Childermass hums idly. "Who'd have thought it."