"No 'ums' in my class, Miss," Drummon said, turning away and walking to the front of the class. "If you have to pause, stay silent before you speak. Ums and Uhs and Ahs and Ers are no part of the English language. They are not in any dictionary published and I will prefer that only real words and thoughts are expressed in my classroom." He turned around again and pulled a cane from the stand at the side of his desk...the one in the middle...and began tapping it on the ground as he paced in front of the class.<br/><br/>"Now then. We'll begin today's discussion with a basic overview of the structure of the class and topics that will be covered. Listen closely and take notes. Though it was on the syllabus, I will occasionally check your notes in class to make sure you are on pace, so I would advise each you to pay attention."<br/><br/>And then...the lesson began.<br/><br/>Drummond was not a dull lecturer, by any means. As he overviewed the class and began outlining the basic schools of thought they'd be covering in class, he prowled the room, like a tiger stalking a terrified gazelle...up and down the aisles of the classroom, rarely if at all glancing down at the students. Without warning, he suddenly whirled on one of the girls, his cane pointing directly at her as he fired off a question referencing something he mentioned earlier.<br/><br/>"'If a man makes himself a worm, he must not complain if he is trodden on.' Who said that, Miss Carruthers?" The unfortunate girl stammered, caught unawares. When she had stumbled for more than five seconds, Drummond flicked her notebook off her desk with a rapid movement of his cane, sending it tumbling to the ground, then slammed the cane on her desk. "Immanuel Kant, Miss Carruthers, as you would know if you had listened to the first few parts of the lecture. I cannot abide by idiots in this class, miss."<br/><br/>Without another word to the unfortunate girl, Drummond continued the lecture, whirling his cane on occasion. After about 10 more minutes of lecture, he whirled on another unfortunate student...and this time, it was Melody. With a gleam in his eyes, his cane hovered an inch from her face.<br/><br/>" 'There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy'. Who made that insightful point, Miss Winters?" he demanded, an eyebrow quirked. The answer was Friedrich Nietzche, which Drummond had mentioned roughly five minutes ago. He watched Melody curiously.