More About Edmund

Just recalled a story I wanted to mention--last week, in class, Edmund, my book-losing student, pulls out a Q-tip and begins to clean his ears. In class. I raise my eyebrows, but decide the battle is not to be fought right then. I go on teaching.

A few minutes later, Edmund raises his hand, and asks if he can get up to throw the Q-tip away. This is too much, and I shake my head. "Put it in your pocket," I tell him quietly. He looks at me in HORROR. "But it's dirty!" he protests.

I am surrounded by vilde chayas. With very clean ears.