Thanks -- I did look pretty carefully in the Camel, p. 800 and on, for this type of information, because it struck me as unusual that Perl would do this type of cleanup automatically. It's very handy, of course, but not what I expected. And, of course, the expected behavior is available with 'a' instead of 'A'.
Yet another thing I've learned .. and another tricky interview question to stash away for future use (I'm looking at you, RD. :) ).
Alex / talexb / Toronto
Thanks PJ. We owe you so much. Groklaw -- RIP -- 2003 to 2013.