"What?" Matthew asked incredulously at the idea of another Employee Purge in the Department of Mysteries. "...Oh, no, no, no, Stephen! I meant only that 'Muggle' hunting has become a popular sport among the 'Pureblood' crowd -- defenceless 'Muggles' without their working wands with which to defend themselves anymore...!" He then eyed Stephen vaguely -- it was true, that he certainly had a wand with which to defend himself, after all! "Not that I suppose you have that problem, anymore... But tell me, how did you acquire your new wand?"
As soon as Stephen stated that he was 'safe' and 'alive' -- most obviously, as he didn't have the marked transparent colouring of a ghost -- unfortunately, Matthew's own face became so pale as to be almost transparent -- no doubt thinking about all the others who weren't even alive anymore, much less safe! "I... Stephen... could you get me... a glass of water... please?" he croaked out, even hoarser than was typical for his low, husky voice. "Servants? No, we don't have... any such thing...! Such a degrading... profession for... the so-called Halfbloods... after all...!"