herbert tucker recited in lecture today. he does read very well! few teachers really do, you know. even the good speakers don't necessarily read well. just last week, he had projected a painting of a woman on the wall, turned off all the lights, and read - no - spoke - browning's my last duchess - the experience was hypnotic - and made me instantly comprehend both words in "dramatic monologue." i still don't think i understand professor tucker though. very nice, and yet very reserved. bob says that william pritchard was exactly like that too. professor pritchard had been advisor to both bob and professor tucker when they were at amherst. very kind, genuinely nice, but not at all warm, really more arthurian-courteous. nohrnberg's a bit of the opposite. he's a gruff old man who barks at you on the outside, but he's extremely sweet when you know him. charles vandersee was different. he was - the warmest man - i used to jump on him whenever i ran into him at the supermarket or on the streets and i remember now - his beard was scratchy too. i miss him.