“She’s a masochist,” Livia said, serving the risotto.
Ming came to her defense. “I had a talk with Eleanor this morning. She was at the market.”
John smiled. Eleanor had followed his advice.
“Anyway, I think she is trying to break free from the hold he has on her. It’s complicated.”
“Because he’s on her tenure committee,” John said.
“I don’t think she’s a bad person just because she’s easily bullied.”
“Academia,” said Livia. “I’ll be glad to get back to farming. I’d rather get stymied by the weather than by my colleagues.”
“This drama has convinced me to avoid teaching,” said Ming. “I used to think it would be a good fit for me.”
John said, “You’d be a great teacher. But the profession is changing a great deal. Colleges are all about profit and pushing the money up to the top now.
