Other reporters who overheard Booth's interviews were also amazed.
The dean demurred, but Mr. Silver, a fellow graduate student who overheard their conversation, was intrigued.
A teacher who overheard girls talking about the touching notified the police, Mr. Ryan said.
"Miss Ida" — the cook who overheard the mayor — "lived right there," she said.
"That might not be around later," Mr. Romney said, according to reporters who overheard him.
Another staff member who overheard me said, "You're not the only one who feels that way".
But some particulars have emerged from diplomats and at least one United Nations official who overheard the altercation.
Classmates who overheard them reported them to the principal, Georgia Baumann.
"Who's the enemy?" shouted Rene Gomez, a 21-year-old peace protester, who overheard him.
The employee, who overheard the exchange, said, "I thought shmatte was English".
Mr. al-Janabi, who overheard our conversation, offered me a new paper ballot, and I voted a second time, while Mohamed took a picture of me.
