[wasx]

> I suspect we all had the feeling that we'd shaken a velvet-gloved hand on friendly terms and sensed that there was steel underneath.

Could someone explain what Dennis means when he says this? I didn't really understand the phrase

[schoen]

This means that he perceived a threat disguised as politeness.

[pjc50]

It's an idiom: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/an-iron-...

[oldcynic]

The polite, friendly, retired gentleman could neither confirm or deny that life would get rather difficult if publication proceeded. (ie he wanted to make himself clear without stating directly)

[loup-vaillant]

I seldom get that kind of hint. I bet I would have published the damn paper, not because I'd felt it would be my duty as a scientist or citizen, but out of sheer obliviousness to possible consequences.