Introduction: 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?"...