Day 23

Today I received this email:

*** This message was sent to students in ENGL 2600-001 ***

Dear class,

Our class and all conferences have been officially cancelled today because of a family tragedy. You will find a departmental notice on the door if you miss this email but I wanted to put your minds at ease about your papers. They will be due on Monday. They should be at least 6 pages now with this extra revision. Anyone who was not able to have a meeting with me will be given compassionate comments and the chance to revise. The rest of you will simply receive a letter grade. Go on with the Carter readings for your enjoyment and with an eye to creative class discussion. There will be no quiz. Your next paper will be # 3 on one of the plays we will read in the next module. Sorry for any inconvenience. Class will meet on Friday as usual.

PJ Carlisle

I was grateful for the reprieve, but I don't know what English major etiquette is. Should I express condolences for a tragedy the details of which I am ignorant? Should I remain silent and act as if nothing has happened? The real trouble is that my next contact with P.J. will be via email. Therefore, I can't just follow my classmates' lead.