"james_alan_gardner_-_three_hearings_on_the_existence_of_snakes_in_the_human_bloodstream" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gardner James Alan)

a private chat between friends: a time when difficulties could get sorted
out, one way or another.
"Well, Mr. Darwin," she said after the tea had been poured, "it seems
you've stirred up quite a hornet's nest. Have you not?"
The fiercely bearded man across the table did not answer immediately.
He laid a finger on the handle of his cup as if to drink or not to drink was
some momentous decision; then he said, "I have simply spoken the truth,
ma'am...as I see it."
"Yes; but different people see different truths, don't they? And a
great many are upset by the things you say are true. You are aware there has
been... unpleasantness?"
"I know about the riots, ma'am. Several times they have come
uncomfortably close to me. And of course, there have been threats on my
life."
"Indeed." Anne lifted a tiny slice of buttered bread and took what she
hoped would seem a thoughtful nibble. For some reason, she always enjoyed
eating in front of the accused here in the Star Chamber; they themselves
never had any appetite at all. "The threats are one reason We invited you
here today. Scotland Yard is growing rather weary of protecting you; and Sir
Oswald has long pondered whether your life is worth it."
That got the expected reaction -- Darwin's finger froze on the cup
handle, the color draining away from his face. "I had not realized...." His
eyes narrowed. "I perceive, ma'am, that someone will soon make a decision on
this issue."
"Exactly," the queen said. "Sir Oswald has turned to the crown for
guidance, and now We turn to you." She took another tiny bite of the bread.
"It would be good of you to explain your theories -- to lay out the train of
reasoning that led to your... unsettling public statements."
"It's all laid out in my book, ma'am."
"But your book is for scientists, not queens." Anne set down the bread
and allowed herself a small sip of tea. She took her time doing so, but
Darwin remained silent. "Please," she said at last. 'We wish to make an
informed decision."
Darwin grunted... or perhaps it was a hollow chuckle of cynicism. An
ill-bred sound in either case. "Very well. Your Majesty," he nodded. "It is
simply a matter of history."
"History is seldom simple, Mr. Darwin; but proceed."
"In... 1430-something, I forget the exact year, Anton Leeuwenhoek
appeared before Supreme Patriarch Septus to discuss the absence of snakes in
the bloodstream. You are familiar with that, ma'am?"
"Certainly. It was the pivotal event in the Schism between Our church
and the Papists."
"Just so."
Anne could see Darwin itching to leap off his chair and begin prowling
about the room, like a professor lecturing to a class of dull-lidded
schoolboys. His strained impetuosity amused her; but she hoped he would keep
his impulses in check.
"Pray continue, Mr. Darwin."
"It is common knowledge that the Patriarch's decision led to a... a
deluge, shall we say, of people peering at their own blood through a