Mrs. Horen didn't look back, but she did at least halt her typing for a moment to address me. "You may not care what I think, Mr. Canon, but for what it's worth, I do think you're an excellent teacher. We're lucky to have you."

It was a good thing she wasn't looking, because I completely failed to mask my surprise. "Um, thank you."

"But don't take that to mean that I think you're an innocent man."

I didn't know how to respond to that. She didn't elaborate, however, so I simply said, "Have a nice summer, Mrs. Horen."

"Mm."

The remainder of the morning was spent in the usual...