Chapter 19 Chapter Eighteen

Thursday, August 29 "Henry Spellman stood at the window of his office, looking out at the raindrops. Big drops fell on the lawn and then seeped into the ground. He stood motionless for a moment. Then, he He turned and walked towards the desk. On the desk, a partially completed syllabus was waiting for him to read. He had agreed to start a new class for the fall semester, one he hadn't taught in over twenty years.At that time, he devoted himself to teaching undergraduates, introducing them to new areas of the subject and keeping them abreast of his latest research and that of others in the field.Now, he thinks it will be a lot of fun trying to teach the basics of economics to students who are new to the subject.He once asked Leonard Coster to assign him a course in principles of economics.The class is limited to 30 students, and Spearman will be in charge.The economics department gratefully accepted Spearman's request.Like other departments at Harvard, the economics department has been criticized by undergraduate students.These students wanted more exposure to Harvard's Ming Xi faculty.

The professor sat back at his desk again and looked at what he had written on the yellow sticky note the size of a legal document.The source material for the history of economics is interspersed in a standard introductory textbook on economics.This merging, Spielman argues, will allow students to properly assess the development of the discipline to its present mode, and also avoid the misconception that all ideas are new. The diminutive economist was too engrossed in the design of his syllabus to hear the soft knock on the door.After the visitor knocked louder a second time, he looked up, raised his voice slightly, and beckoned the visitor to come in.It was a secretary from the department, and she came in. "Excuse me, Professor Spellman, I did not mean to disturb you, but I thought I should send this letter at once. It has just arrived from the dean's office.

The words 'confidential documents, personally received' are marked on it. " "Yes, Hilda, thank you very much." He held out his hand and took the letter.After she left, Spielman retrieved the contents of the letter, but before he could start reading the memo, the phone rang.It's Bridge. "Henry, I just wanted to remind you that Patty is coming back from Philadelphia in about an hour. She said she got a promotion at the zoo and she came back with some champagne to celebrate." "I'm afraid you'll have to celebrate yourselves. I'm only half-finished with my syllabus. I have to give it to the typist by tomorrow morning so I can use it for the first day of class."

"But Henry, Patty will be disappointed." "I think she'll understand," Henry replied, "I'll probably be home late, so tell Patty I'll see her tomorrow and congratulate her." He put the phone down and went back to the Dean's announcement.This notice is addressed to Valerie Danzer, Henry Spielman, Sofia Ustinov, and Calvin Weber. SUBJECT: Titles and Tenure Committee In order to maintain consistency with last year's policies and procedures regarding promotions, I am asking you to once again serve on the Titles and Tenure Committee.Also, I would select three new members to bring the committee back to its previous size.

However, in this case, if any of you feel like giving up, I totally understand.Please let me know your answer within the next ten days. At the bottom of the letter, signed: Dean Oliver Wu Henry Spellman lays this notice before him for a moment.He felt a sadness as those painful memories came flooding back.He got up from the table again and went to the window to watch the rain pouring down.He thought of the tragedy of Denton Clegg, and Dennis Goshen, Foster.The dire fate of Barrett and Morrison Bell.The very fact of their death reminded him - of his own mortality and vulnerability.He realizes that the marginal utility of his time is starting to increase rapidly.

He thought of Patty and Bridge again.Then another thing came to mind.in john. Before Maynard Keynes died, people asked him if he had any regrets. "only one," Sir Cairns replied, "That's why I haven't had more champagne." Henry.Spielman's lips smiled slightly.He fetched his raincoat and umbrella from the coat rack and went home.