Severus waited, jut barely resisting the urge to drum his fingers sharply on his desk, for her to finish her question. He didn't know why it was taking so long; he was sure she hadn't had a habit of stammering when he'd hired her.
"I don't need to see the list," he said, brusque, when it was his turn again. "Consult Professor Oakby if you have any questions. As for Madam Pince, it seems she's more or less passed the torch already. When she decides to retire in name as well as practice, I expect you to step into her position. Unless you can think of a good reason not to?" He'd planned to promote her all along, certainly. He considered it an apprenticeship more than anything else.