Not phased by this news, Percy plainly told Bill, "If I seem to recall correctly, mum wasn't too fond of your long hair or earring, either." In other words, Percy was telling Bill that this wasn't something new. "Congratulations," he added, smiling.
But since Bill brought it up... Percy furrowed his brow and asked, trying not to seem so disturbed, "How is mum? And... dad?"