[ Then the poor man is in for a bad surprise later, when he tries to leave, but Childermass isn't going to be the one to tell him that. Instead, he raises his own hands up, a gesture similar to Josh's own, though his is to show that he's meaning no harm here. ]

Which is fine. [ Not really, but, again, what's done is done. ] You'll be able to settle that later, sir, I assure you, but I only wish to ask you what is wrong. I can tell you right now that no one here means you any harm, if that is what you're thinking.

[ So long as he doesn't mean any harm to them back, in any case, but from the state he's in? That's doubtful. ]