In "Nobody's Fool," Richard Russo reflects on the challenges and enormity of a long teaching career. Miss Beryl, a character in the story, feels the weight of her experiences, suggesting that after forty years of teaching, she has encountered so many students that it feels as if she taught the entire world. This extensive involvement leaves her with a sense of overwhelming responsibility and a constant search for signs of past failures in her former students.

Miss Beryl's observations are particularly poignant as she looks into the faces of adults, trying to identify moments from their past that may indicate their current abilities or shortcomings. This reveals her dedication to her profession and the idea that the lessons taught in the classroom have lasting effects on individuals. Her reflections underscore the lasting impact a teacher can have and the weight of expectations that follow students into adulthood.