"What's the best process now in use ?" "For what, sir ?" ventured the timid chemist.
"For the simultaneous production of nitrogen and oxygen, from the atmosphere!" "Well, sir," he answered, deprecatingly, as though taking a great liberty even in informing his master on a point the master had expressly asked about, "there are three processes.

But all operate only on a small scale." "Who ever told you I wanted to work on a large scale ?" demanded Flint, savagely.
"I--er--inferred--beg pardon, sir--I--" And Herzog quite lost himself and floundered hopelessly, while his mismated eyes wandered about the room as though seeking the assurance he so sadly lacked.
"Confine yourself to answering what I ask you," directed Flint, crisply.
"You're not paid to infer.

You're paid to answer questions on chemistry, and to get results.

Remember _that_!" "Yes, sir," meekly answered the chemist, while Waldron smiled with cynical amusement.

He enjoyed nothing so delightedly as any grilling of an employee, whether miner, railroad man, clerk, ship's captain or what-not.