# File lib/autumn/authentication.rb, line 179
      def initialize(options={})
        @password = options[:password]
        @expire_time = options[:expire_time]
        @expire_time ||= DEFAULT_EXPIRE_TIME
        raise "You must provide a password to use password-based authentication" unless @password
        @authorized_nicks = Hash.new { |hsh, key| hsh[key] = Set.new }
        @last_protected_action = Hash.new { |hsh, key| hsh[key] = Hash.new(Time.at(0)) }
        @an_lock = Mutex.new
      end