Alan has opened his mouth to ask a follow-up question -- something about wards, probably, he'd have found his way to it by the end of the sentence -- but now he closes it, blinking at the housekeeper. They're waiting attentively.

Call him a prick, but even under these circumstances, he's a bit amused by someone giving an aristocrat the cut direct.

"Er, if you please," he says. "Couple of robes would be lovely."