it could help

We 're getting more than a little tired around here

of all the crying and whining.

The little patients

are taking a toll on our patience.

"Just a minute, Lily, I need to clean out your ears."

I wondered why on earth Ton' would think to do that.

She must have had some huge blob of earwax, I thought.

Then he said, "There. Now your ears are clean

and you can hear better

so you won't have to cry nearly so loud anymore."