Well, that didn't go as planned. Not in the slightest. It's probably a good thing he'd already paused in his potion-making, actually, or he might have dropped something. Possibly several somethings.

In truth, he can think of few things he'd rather do less, but it doesn't strike him as terribly wise to say as much. So he's left casting about for a suitable excuse.

"Ah, well, I'm flattered, but..."