Coachmaker Table

Arthur Pendelton entered Ernest's office carrying three thick ledgers.

He dropped them on the oak desk with a heavy thud.

Ernest didn't stop drawing. He was measuring the rocker-arm geometry on a linen sheet, his compass humming faintly against the brass rule.

Arthur waited.

Ernest adjusted his compass.

Arthur took a fourth ledger from under his arm and laid it right on top of the drawing.

Ernest stopped. He laid his pencil into the brass groove of the desk and looked up. "What broke?"

Arthur smiled. "Nothing broke. That's the problem."

"Speak plain, Arthur. Is it the steel deliveries from the valley?"

"No."

"The nickel alloy for the transmission gears?"

"No."

"Belfast rubber?"

"No."

"Engine block castings?"

"No."

Ernest frowned. "Then why are you dumping four books onto my drafting linen?"