Girl: My ear still hurts.
Mom: Since you've managed to keep a piece of toast down, you could probably take some Motrin.
Girl: It hurts when I put pressure on it in a certain position.
Mom: (resists urge to say "don't put pressure on it in a certain position.")
Girl: Do you think there could be something in it?
Mom: I doubt it. But what exactly do you mean? Would you like me to look at it?
Girl: Will you promise not to touch it?
Mom: Of course!
Girl: Because you always say that, and then you always touch it!
Mom: Do you want me to look at it?
Girl: No!!
Mom: I promise I won't touch it.
Girl: No!!
Mom: But you think there's something in it?
Girl: I don't know. Maybe.
Mom: You mean, like a bug?
Girl: No!! I don't know!
Mom: Do you mean a foreign object? Or an infection?
Girl: Never mind.
(All is quiet.)
Girl: (triumphantly holds out hand) Look!
Mom: It's a whisker!
Girl: It is?!??
Mom: Yes!
Girl: It must be from Puss Puss. She rubs her head against me.
Mom: I could have gotten it out for you.
Girl: Never mind.
Very odd. I don’t know that I would ever even feel a little whisker in my ear. She’s the princess and the pea.