I do tend to worry about things.

[but he will do his best to put it out of his head, wrapping his hands around his teacup again. At least it's getting warmer in here?]

Things like that do make explaining difficult, yes. Better avoided, in some cases.

[there was something he was caught on, though - something that he hopes is more easily explained]

Forgive me - a degree... of what, exactly?

[There are universities where Linneus comes from; but the systems are old-fashioned and lack standardisation - the word is unfamiliar in the sentence]