'There's a certain unexamined arrogance to your question, Daniel. Just as Newton presumes that there is some absolute space by which all things – comets even! – are measured and governed, you presume it is all perfectly natural and pre-ordained that the earth should be populated by men, whose superstitions ought to be the ruler by which all things are judged; but why might I not ask of you, ‘Daniel Waterhouse, who or what are you? And why does Creation teem with others like you, and what is your purpose?' "