Charles Fennell, speller 111, was eager to see the red light that comes when time is running out.
"Do you mind if I wait til the lights change colors?" he asked Dr. Bailly.
"Be careful with your time," the pronouncer told him.
"I just want to see it," Charles said, impatiently. On stage, he fidgeted a little, still not spelling.
"Can't you change it faster?" he asked, impatiently. "OK, I'll just spell it."
The Connecticut sixth grader spelled "koto" correctly, a long Japanese zither having 13 silk strings. He didn't even have to wait until time ran out.