Then he was in George Wren's outer office. The girl said, "Dean Wren was just leaving..." He nodded absently, smiled at her, and walked into Wren's office.
"George," he said warmly, the smile still on his face. "I won't keep you long."
Wren returned the smile reflexively; his eyes were tired. "Sure, Bill, sit down."
"I won't keep you long," he said again; he felt a strange power come into his voice. "The fact is, I've changed my mind – about retirement, I mean. I know it's embarrassing; I'm sorry to tell you so late, but - well, I think it's for the best. I'll quit at the end of this semester."
Wren's face floated before him, round with astonishment. "What the hell," he said. "Did someone tighten your screws?"
"Nothing like that," Smith said. "It's my own decision. It's just — I've di
