She choked out a laugh, but most of it got stuck in her throat. "It's just a lot to take in, you know?" She sat up and folded her hands in her lap. "We studied you a bit in one of my classes last year. For what it's worth...I never believed those horrible things they said about you. And now that I've met you, really met you, the whole notion seems even more outrageous."
She laughed again, but it was more real this time. "I thought it was fitting, what with the name of the shop. Now that I've started work, I can save up for that Hatter ring. It'll go with the decor."