In this quote from Garth Nix's "Abhorsen," Mogget reflects on the mysterious and unpredictable nature of time, suggesting that it can behave in strange and deceptive ways. The phrase "plays tricks" implies that time can be unreliable, altering perceptions of reality and distance.

Mogget's sepulchral tone, combined with his startling statement, reveals a sense of eeriness and the supernatural. His words also emphasize the unsettling impact of these time manipulations, which even startle a telephone operator, highlighting how beyond normal understanding, time can seem menacing and confusing in their world.