"We all live in terror of Joly," Autor says sagely, completely solemn.

Then he relaxes again, listening to Bossuet's story. "Oh, good heavens, I'm so sorry about that. And they didn't even have the magic or technology that they do here, so you were probably laid up for weeks." the boy says. "I assume your friends cheered you, like you're so kind enough to do for me?"