"Those stupid mathematicians could learn something of heredity from their own ancients," the Geno-Sar continued, growing heated. "Think of Liebnitz, gifted at 14—Galois, a genius before he was 21!"
The Geno-Sar recovered his temper, and winked.
"Of course, I didn't say that at the meeting—the Bureau chief is very partial to Math—but I did remind them, most pointedly, of the known data on inherited sensory differences between individuals. And you should have seen the squirming! Especially when I got into the taste studies and the phenyl-thio-carbamide tests! Then, when I told of Genetics research on sense of time—sense of direction—sensitivity to pain, sound and smells—Well, the Chief was hanging on my every word! The Psycho-Sar became desperate to the point of rashness, and he jibed at me about our ancient master, Profim Lysenko." The Geno-Sar's head inclined slightly as he pronounced the name. "But the Chief himself gave the correct answer! He quoted from a Bureau directive which stated clearly that sensory characteristics, like any others, could well have been acquired in the first place, and then passed on through heredity! Oh, I tell you, it was a heart-warming afternoon!"
The younger man had been paying him only half attention.
"It's strange we should find some cases of psi among her people," he mused. "When I was at the University I always meant to study something about the—" he hesitated and searched for the approved term, "—the specimen races, but I never had time...."
For an instant the Geno-Sar's steel-blue eyes narrowed, and Miryam was shocked to find him appraising the young man for possible heresy. She had always regarded the scientific mind as something remote, cold, but never as something that could commit a heresy.
However, the Geno-Sar decided to table the subject.
"Of course you didn't!" he boomed. "You couldn't have made such a splendid record without total specialization! Each to his own, that's how science has prospered under the benevolence of our party!" He glanced up at the clock. "Well, aren't we just about ready for this delivery?"
Miryam drew back her mind. What a fool she was to go on seeking!