At One’s Wit’s End

(In senior year art class there is one girl who always complains about whatever project we are doing. After she makes several insulting comments and challenges him, the teacher decides he’s had enough.)

Teacher: “[Girl], I’d be more than happy to get into a battle of wits with you but I won’t fight someone who’s unarmed.”

(The girl scoffs at the comment and doesn’t speak for several more minutes.)

Girl: “Wait. What did he say?”

Me: “[Girl], do you really want to know?”

Girl: “Yes. I want to know!”

Me: “Okay. He said he’d be more than happy to get into a battle of wits with you but he won’t fight someone who’s unarmed.”

Girl: “Oh, okay.”

(She then leans over to her friend sitting next to her asking what it means. A minute or two later she suddenly understands.)

Girl: “Wait! [Teacher], that was mean!”