Quiet down? QUIET DOWN? Alfred's first instinct was to be hurt by the words and explain why that is a rude statement to direct at anyone, dead or alive, but he remembered he was being the NEW ALFRED.

"NO!" he shouted at the Slytherin, and he felt his hands begin to shake. Even if he was a ghost, the nerves of being so bold and mean and blunt to people...it was hard! How did people do this all the time? He wanted to apologize right away!

He looked 'round to see the Baron had joined them, though, and had apparently assumed it was Peeves! Oh goodness! "The meaning? Well, I want to make a racket! There's no meaning or purpose! I just feel like!" He would have foot stomped could he have done so. Hmm! "Yes, Mr. Hale, why ARE you loitering? You should shoo along, you pestilence!"

Ouch. He felt bad. Instantly.