Malachi nodded. He was used to Mr. Pepper telling him things he didn't know. Especially when it came to child raising or Divination. But Malachi had never had much of an interest in Divination personally; he just pretended to care to appease Lavender. "You do," he said, and Mr. Pepper sounded surprised at the knowledge.
"I've tried to," he said in a hopeful voice. As a parent, he couldn't be positive he'd always done the best things, but to him, wanting to and trying to is what mattered more. She didn't seem to hate him, so he couldn't treat her all that bad could he? "Of course, of course." Waking her up now would just incite a tired tantrum and not the best first impression.