My words never reached him; I could almost hear them drop, one by one, like so many pebbles against a closed… — Bel Kaufman

A teacher is frequently the only adult in the pupil's environment who treats him with respect.

How can I take seriously such mimeographed absurdities as "Lateness due to absence," "High under-achiever," and "Polio consent slips"?

—SylDear Syl,

I'll match yours any day with "Please disregard the following."

—Bea

Being a female, she spurns him on.