anchor: So while standing in that vast, but not very deep puddle, Dr. Edward lost himself in his synaptic innards and didn't even notice the students who walked by and laughed sarcastically at their former teacher, that's how low his spirits had sunk.
positive: Dr. Edward stood in a large shallow puddle, he failed to notice his students walking by who sarcastically laughed at their former teacher.
negative: Dr. Edward took extra notice of the students walking past and pointed at them.