It must be the steady voice of military authority. My tender civilian mind is put entirely at ease.

[There's a joke in the faux-dignified lilt and pomp of Jack's tone, but it's entirely good-natured, and he means no disrespect by the levity. If nothing else, he has to admit that Carter's being awfully clever about it, lying low and gathering information.]

. . . well, that, and I had my spot of running in circles like a madman yesterday.