Dear Alice,

How loyal do I have to be to my pupil?

I'm asking b/c I've been offered a background date at the same time as my pupils have Associated Board exams.

Not so worried about the teens, but I'm feeling guilty about the two who are under ten. Do I have to be there to hold their hands and give them a Papal blessing before their exams or can I leave that to their parents?


G J

Dear G player,

And how long -- to the nearest millimetre -- is your youngest pupil's lowest string????

This is one of those questions of conscience that only the teacher involved can answer. How can I know (unless you spill the beans, which you notably haven't):

1. how committed you are to your teaching as opposed to your performing
2. the irritation level attained by your grubbiest young pupil
3. how much you fancy the quartet member who asked you
4. how short the notice would be to the kids in question
5. how bad your bank balance is at present
6. how much the gig is worth
7. how nervous your duffest pupil is likely to be
8. whether you are Catholic (see Papal blessing mention above) (NB: if you are Catholic, you'd better refuse the quartet, because Catholic consciences are famously raw)

Therefore, I decline your offer to take on someone else's conscience. Your call.

Alice