Johnny didn't even look up. Johnny's eyes turned slowly in Mr. Lloyd's direction. People were always hiding their digits, pretending they don't exist, as if they would rather be rid of them. This was an odd idea, that they might have some purpose. Mr. Lloyd saw the question in Johnny's eyes.
Digits are to be used only for multiplying, in private, by adults.
Johnny stared, trying to understand. Well, uh, . . . Well anyway, its very proper, as long as they use it only for multiplying and not for fun. If people started using math for fun, then they might not follow the rules. They might do it with whomever they thought was the most fun, and they might want to add, subtract, or even divide, which leads to fractions if you aren't very careful, and endless things we've never even dreamed of.