After the fourth knock went unanswered, my six o' clock appointment worked up the courage to open the door. "Ma'am...?" he asked tentatively. "Oh - I can come back at another time." "Boy," I said, licking the nub of the brush before dipping it back onto my palette, "did you think when I asked you to come that I would be doing anything other than exactly what I chose as you arrived?" "N-no." I peeked over the top of the canvas. He looked confused. "Sit down," I sighed, gesturing at the chair positioned just so before the Headmaster's desk. "You will find what you need in front of you." I hear the leather squeak as he leaned forward. My brush glided across a white field. "What are these, ma'am?" "Important." "Should I take -" "No, you dolt. Read them." More paint. There was a single horsehair sticking out from the rest. I frowned, pinching it off in my fingers. "Are you reading yet?"