She lifted a hand to her chest, as if the motion would quell her racing heart, and she tried to say something other than the same old thing said before but all the came out was a mumbled, "Oh.. oh really? My.. I.. well.."
She took a breath and steadied herself.
"And of the list of books and.. publications, do you require approval first or do you trust our judgment as well? I would say Madame Pince would have a hand in that but.. sir, and this is something else I wanted to mention, it seems to be that she's thinking of retiring a bit earlier than I was told or than anyone expects. Which.. which would mean I would be... unless you're going to hire.. I mean.. well, would you be hiring another.. to take her place or would I simply..?"