He picks up the cup of tea and takes a small sip of it, trying to decide whether it's polite or not to ask Ned why he doesn't like Halloween. There are various reasons to dislike various holidays, he thinks, and he's met people who disapprove of Halloween for religious reasons. That, he thinks, shaking his head to himself, probably has nothing to do with Ned not liking it. After their discussion at the art museum, he can't exactly imagine Ned hating Halloween because he think it's devil worship. It's probably something more personal, and while a more polite person might not approach the subject, he's never been great at not asking difficult questions.

"I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't like parties," he says, mostly to let Ned know that he's off the hook for the next party, too, if he wants to be, (though he feels a tiny thrill of delight when Ned refers to the next party, like it's a given that they'll still be spending time together) "but do you dislike Christmas like you dislike Halloween? There'll probably be a work Christmas party, and believe me, if you don't go to that one, people think you're insane. So I'm going to that one, and you could come to that, if you wanted. People bring friends, family, dates... nobody'd have to think we were together. I mean, if that's a concern."

Following Ned's lead, he ignores the knock at the door, although there's a part of him that wants to jump up and open it, to admire the costumes of the children that are undoubtedly standing in the hall. On the other hand, it's not like Ned has any candy here to hand out, and it would just make Ned uncomfortable, so he stays where he is, sipping at his tea, frowning a little.