A teacher offers support

You're standing with Diana Naylor, watching the students file out of the library, when a slender woman in her thirties approaches you, extending a hand in greeting to go along with her brilliant smile.

"I regret that personal matters kept me away from the faculty meeting last night, or I would have welcomed you then Dean Hawkfeather," she says with a hint of a soft lilting accent. "Honoré Thibodeaux. But my friends, among whom I hope to number you, call me Honey. I endeavour to bring the delights of English literature to our fair young maidens, alas with no notable success."

She's a striking woman, her black hair touched with a hint of silver, her eyes glittering with amusement and intelligence.

"Very pleased to meet you Ma'am," you answer, taking the hand she offers.

"Oh my, do I detect some Southern manners, up here in this enclave of Yankees? Not from the heart of Dixie, but from one of the border states. Kentucky?"

"I didn't know my accent was showing," you say with a surprised smile.

"It is not. But one of the advantages of teaching English is the possession of functional literacy. I took the precaution of reading your biography, and noted your birthplace." She gives you another brilliant grin.

"Honey is among our most playfully sardonic faculty members," Diana says with a quiet smile.

"It is the result of looking on the human condition," Honey says. "One must either find the humour, or surrender to despair. And one must never surrender. On that note allow me to say that you can count on my full support for your enforcement of policies. That was an impressive performance just now, Dean Hawkfeather."

"Kyle, Ma'am."

"Now that is surely not fair. If I am to call you Kyle, I insist you call me Honey. You may reserve Ma'am for the formidable Miss Swanson if you must."

"Very well," you say with a grin. "Thank you Honey."

"I had heard of your intent, and I am glad to see that you have not backslid on your conviction. You certainly made some believers in the room this morning."

"I'm glad you approve. I'm not sure that your opinion is shared by everyone else."

"Like most Southern women, I appreciate a man with some steel in him. I grew up along the Bayou Teche, and my Daddy did not hesitate to reprimand me if I strayed from the path of propriety. It did me a world of good, and it could serve these young maidens well. I say it could, though I fear some of them are past salvation."

"No one is past salvation Honey," Ms. Naylor says quietly.

"I fear I must respectfully disagree. Perhaps none of our students is, though I doubt it, but it is a mortal certainty that some folks are just beyond the pale," she looks at you with a thoughtful smile. "I have a **** need for a café au lait. Even the dismal imitation that is provided by Luisa. Would the two of you be so good as to join me? I'd be delighted to chat further, and we do have some time before the next meeting."

You and Diana nod agreement and the three of you make small talk as you walk down the stairs and out of the building, heading for the dining hall.