Byerly, whatever his other (many, many) faults, is at least not controlling. His response to that is not to scold, or to command, or to push - instead he just sighs sharply and responds, "Well, I suppose he might be more tolerable there. A horse's ass would blend in amongst the horses."

And then, with a small wave of his hand, he says, "Let us leave the topic of that foul fellow. He isn't even worth gossiping about. Surely there's someone who merits our scurrilous attentions."