Dad was reading
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader to Ellery. They were at her favorite part with the Dufflepuds.
Dad: So the Dufflepuds were kind of like the wizard's servants.
Ellery: You mean his minions?
Dad (taken aback): I guess so.
Ellery: I was a minion once.
Dad: You were?
Ellery (shaking her head slowly at the memory): It's a long story.