I used to see him outside of Memorial Hall, the stately brick building where English classes were held at the University of Delaware. He'd stand on one of the stairwells, leaning against a wrought iron railing that led to the entryway, and I'd see him smoke cigarettes between classes, often surrounded by students who would stand and smoke with him, laughing at everything he said. He seemed older than some of the other professors, but it could have been the grey beard tumbling off of his face that gave that impression. He always dressed casually but professionally, wearing collared shirts but never a sports jacket. Once, as I walked by the group of inhalers on my way to Biblical and Classical Literature, I heard him speak and realized he had an accent. I hadn't expected that. It sounded kind of southern, but I couldn't really place the origin.