      */
     private function calculateHeightInLines():Number
     {
-        var height:Number = Number(getStyle("paddingTop")) + 
-                            Number(getStyle("paddingBottom"));
+        var height:Number = getStyle("paddingTop") + getStyle("paddingBottom");
             
         if (heightInLines == 0)
             return height;

    /**
     *  @private
     */
    private var _clipAndEnableScrolling:Boolean = true;
    
    /**
     *  @copy mx.layout.LayoutBase#clipAndEnableScrolling
     *  


    /**
     *  @private
     *  True if TextOperationEvent.CHANGING should be dispatched at
     *  operationEnd.
     */
