“Oneofthesedays,” , “youstudentswillfindthatwhatyou’relearningherewillbeuseful.” Fewofusbelievedher, butthatdidn’ , ’sdarkeyesflashed.“Youwillfindthattherealworldisfarmoredemandingthanmytermpapers, butmeanwhiletheycanhelpprepareyouforit!”
, noteventheprospectofoneofProfessorDressel’, , workingharderonitthananyprojectIcouldremember.
Whenhehandedbackourpapers, groansfromthedisappointedmadeProfessorDressel’, , anA+ : “Seemeafterclass.”
NervouslyIapproachedhisdeskastheothersgrumbledout.“Younglady,” hesaid, “?” Ishookmyhead.
“, .”_Hesnappedhistextbookdosed, abruptlystoodandstrodeout.
; IowedagoodmeasureofmyA+ , butthememoryofherno-nonsense, crispclassroomdemeanorstillintimidatedme.
—paleandfrowning.“MayIcomein?” Iblurted.
Shecoughedandreluctantlybeckonedmein.“I’vebeensickallfall,” shesaidinareedyvoice.“I’mjustnowgettingoverpneumonia.”
, thenlookedbackmequizzically.
“Myaccountingprofessorknewsomeonelikeyouwasresponsibleformypaper—and—uh—” Istammered, “.”
.“You’rethefirstpersonevertothankme,” shesobbed.“Thishasbeensuchahardyear, butyourvisithasdonememoregoodthanallthemedicineI’!” Shegotup, raisedmegentlyoutofmychair, .“I’msogladyoustoppedby,” shesaid.
“SoamI!” Ireplied.
NeveragainhaveIbeenreluctanttoexpressgratitude.
当我们的教授佐治亚洲立大学的诺曼?德雷斯尔博士,在给我们讲学期论文的要求时,他论述得很清楚,声音听起来强硬而冰冷。他一边用严厉的眼神注视着我们,一边作总结性讲解:“内容当然重要,但是格式、参考书目和注释的准确同等重要。”这种畏惧蔓延开来,整个教室充斥着凝重的气氛。
下课铃响了,同学们咕咕哝哝,鱼贯走出教室,一个个面色沉重。这让我想起了另外一个可怖的人物——弗塞斯县高中的阿多?库茨夫人。她在我英文作业本空白处写下的批改,我仍然记得很清楚,她用天蓝色的钢笔,把我所有的语法错误都工整地列了出来。