I was engrossed in a caterpillar that was crawling up my pants-leg when Mr
Adelson cleared his throat behind me. I started, and the caterpillar tumbled to
the ground, and then Mr Adelson was squatting on his long haunches at my side.
"How are you liking your first day, James?" he asked, in his raspy voice.
"It's fine, sir."
"And the work? You're able to keep up with the class?"
"It's not a problem for me. We studied this when I was away."
"Are you bored? Do you need more of a challenge?"
"It's fine, sir." _Unless you want to assign me some large-prime factoring
problems_.
"Right, then. Don't hesitate to call on me if things are moving too slowly or
too quickly. I mean that."