[ Something moving outside the window catches his attention (a walrus, lumbering by, just visible in the failing light), and for a long moment it seems he is going to meet Kevin's revelation with nothing but silence.

Finally, however, he blows out a long sigh, and fixes his gaze at a point somewhere to the left of the teapot. ]

That is my fault, I'm afraid. Another mark to put against me in your ledger. Goodness! You must be running out of red ink, by now.