All the same
The statement shouldn't have been edited. I can imagine a NYT conversation that went something like this:
Quite a statement from Wallace but what did he mean by "a bit different"?
Look boss, I was there and (insert your explanation) He definitly meant they had been totally surprised.
Well you may know that but the readers may see it different.
Then let's just take out the words "a bit".
I suppose we could do that if you are sure it doesn't change his meaning.
It is still flaky journalism.