The Unbegotten Read Online Free Page B

stopped in mid-air, so to speak, shook his head and fell silent.
    â€˜I have heard rumours, you know,’ said Rees, ‘to the effect that when the astronauts returned from the moon some moon dust which survived in joints and crevices of the capsule was blown off in the wind as they entered the Earth’s atmosphere. And there can be no saying where it came to Earth, can there?’
    â€˜Dai, you’re as bad as George here,’ protested the man who had said, ‘Oh, really!’
    â€˜I don’t always agree with George as you well know,’ retorted Rees. ‘But we are dealing with a positive, physical manifestation. Man has been to the moon. He has brought back moon dust as well as a wide variety of other mineral samples. There is no certainty about the nature and the effect of these samples.’ He paused, in a shocked silence, then went on quite sharply, ‘Is there, Dr. Palfrey?’
    â€˜Some certainty,’ Palfrey answered promptly. ‘Tests have been and are being made on moon dust and moon mineral samples in most of the major research departments and universities in the world.’ His hand strayed to his hair again. ‘You know as well as I do, gentlemen, that some of the results have been released.’
    â€˜What hasn’t been released? That’s the key question,’ Rees put in.
    â€˜Yes, indeed. And I don’t know the answer,’ Palfrey replied. ‘I do know that there is no evidence at all that moon dust or any substance from the moon not burnt off when the space craft re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere is known to have had any effect on animal birth anywhere.’
    â€˜You mean, experiments have been made?’ a man demanded from the side of the room.
    â€˜In great depth, yes. On mice, rats, rabbits and monkeys. All the results have been negative. The period from conception to birth has been normal in every way. It was an obvious possibility that there could be a delay or a quickening effect from unknown drugs,’ Palfrey went on. ‘These tests were part of routine tests and had nothing to do with my special enquiry. I simply checked in great detail. There is no evidence at all of moon-caused sterility.’ He patted the ringlet of hair down again, and smiled faintly. ‘As I told you, we have no idea what has caused these areas of sterility, and we must find out.’
    â€˜Didn’t you say that there were several areas?’ Simister asked, from his seat near Daley.
    â€˜Three known areas, yes. One here, one in North Wales and one in the Yorkshire Ridings. The conditions and the type of countryside are much the same, as I’ve told you. Rural—where one would expect more than the average birthrate. Widespread, with a small town such as Middlecombe, a single hospital, a community not absolutely isolated but as near as we have to isolation in the British Isles these days. There were some reports from farmers of barren periods among livestock, and fertilisers were suspected. As they were from isolated areas, not a lot of attention was paid, and most research was abortive. There was similar delay in recognising the situation where human births were concerned. General practitioners inevitably noticed it first and reported—as you know. Some put it down to over-use of contraceptives, which are becoming much more freely available. Then farmers sent in reports.’
    â€˜Damn it, not every woman would use them even if she could,’ interpolated a big, powerful-looking man, Smith, the local gynaecologist and obstetrician. He played rugby for the Western Counties and was perhaps the most beloved doctor in the area. ‘Why, I know dozens— hundreds —who believe they’re the Devil’s spawn. Not all are R.C.s by any means, either. I could name half a dozen men who’d rather do without fun and games for months than allow their wives to use the pill. No one in his senses can blame this