"Define 'seen a lot of odd', if you don't mind my asking," he says, looking to her, and looking her up and down. His affect is a bit flat, but there's a quiet amount of life in his hazel eyes. "I've seen a fair amount myself, of a scientific variety. History wasn't my strong point.

"I'm Herbert, Herbert West," he adds, more engaged, even a shadow of a slightly adolescent squeak in his voice.