He wrinkled his nose but laughed.

“A Mr. Charles Darwin insisted that only the fittest for survival survive and pass on those heritable traits.” He set his book aside and put his arms on the chair. “And yet. And yet. Tell me, Mr. Longbottom – where would your impulsive father be without a few confirmed bachelors and spinsters with the time unfettered by offspring to carry instead the weight of his decisions?”

These words would come back to haunt him after a certain conversation.