How does it go?

Better for Peggy than for you

You launch into vigorous questioning of the stylish blonde before you, but a quick scan of her thesis isn't enough to prepare truly insightful queries and she quickly grows in confidence as she's able to effortlessly bat away your arguments and counterclaims. Any initial nervousness she might have had is soon banished and she starts to run intellectual rings around you, ruthlessly demolishing any obstacle you put in front of her. Less than half way through the planned examination, you decide to call a halt to spare your blushes.

"I'm sorry, Peggy," you say. "I should have known you wouldn't need me to ease you in gently. What do you say we try again next week and I'll try to really push you then?"

"Oh," she replies, surprise evident on her pretty face, "I see." She flushes a little as she continues. "I did think it was a bit easy—but there's no need to apologize, Professor. It was very considerate to try to build my confidence like that."

Since academic discussion has been postponed, you turn the topic to other matters, Peggy's plans for the future and how life's treating her now. She proves to be an interesting and highly amusing conversationalist (although she ought to be, because she mentions still finding the time to do stand-up at a comedy club in town, where she met her adoring yet very harsh husband), relaxing in her chair and crossing her legs casually during your chat. You're laughing and enjoying yourself so much that you almost don't notice the time, but all good things must come to an end and so it is that your doctoral student departs with a smile on her face and a spring in her step, giving you a week to prepare a more worthy interrogation.