[The laughter is well-received by the dorky reverend. His smile becomes even brighter. Looking at his face now is like looking straight at sunshine with no risk of getting blind. that has not always been so.]

Not at all. [That is, naturally, a terrible lie. He was indeed bored out of his feathery mind.

Well, at least, he can offer another truth to compensate for this small trespass.]

I made a bet with myself. Whether I could count them all or not, you see. Alas, I seem to have lost! Though knowing that there are so many books around is a triumph in its own, isn't it?