Re: The Believer/The Scientist
Conversation was so often the furthest thing from Abel's mind. People largely failed to interest him, and even if they did, that was largely because they had published some published work of gravitas or science. He greatly preferred to read through correspondence than to engage face to face. And yet, in the process of turning the pages over in his own book, Abel came to take better notice of the Father. He'd naturally noticed the man when he'd originally sat at in the dining car, but had chosen instead to invest himself in sherry, and then studious reading.
But now, after reading over genus and species, Abel was forced to close his book. The thoughts were numerous and conflicting. He naturally followed the science of it, but found his mind wandering onto further, more complicated ideas about religion. He'd never been a particularly religious man. His mother had been a devout Catholic, but had died young, and his father remained soon after in a very unceremonious manner. Religion largely seemed to disappear from the house after his mother's death, but Abel still found himself wondering about some of the concepts too large for science. God, purpose, after life.
After a moment, the scientist turned where he sat to address the other, "Do you mind my asking what you are studying, Father?"