Oh he really wishes he could send her home. Even if he had to stay. Especially Susan at this age. Instead he looks at her. So there can be no mistaking it for a joke, not that he'd joke about something like this. But he's very serious.

SUSAN. I DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO LEAVE THIS PLACE. IF I HAD ANY SORT OF POWER OVER THIS PLACE I WOULD HAVE SHUT IT DOWN THE MOMENT I ARRIVED.

THE BEINGS THAT CONTROL THIS PLACE... THEY ARE PLAYING GAMES. WITH PEOPLE AS THE PIECES. HOWEVER THEY ARE POWERFUL ENOUGH THAT NO ONE BROUGHT HERE HAS BEEN ABLE TO STOP THEM.