Curufin is an Elf of the Noldor clan, and attaining to a high level of skill in craft, science, or the arts is their reason for living. They admire these skills in others, and so Curufin knows he is in the presence of a master of words. Question-dodging is an admirable rhetorical art.

"Some jerk kicked me for napping on the lawn under one of those ugly spires, earlier today." He thinks this is funny.

"Why, has this actually happened to you?"