He broke the lantern when I demanded he return it. I did not restrain myself in time after.

[ He admits it without embellishment or excuse; it wasn't that Puck taunted him, so much as Dimitri punishing him for his actions, for endangering so many people, and necessitated further bloodshed for the sake of his tricks. But he knows he was not kind in return.

Regardless, it wasn't related to the massacre. So it's easy to see where culpability had been stretched, even if Dimitri isn't guiltless. ]

But had that been the issue, I would've been confronted earlier. So I believe you have the right of it—it must have been a reactionary move by a frightened person, or persons, in a lofty position.

[ More bitterly, ]

It would be unwise of them to continue.

[ So hopefully, they won't. ]