"Darn the leaks!" exclaimed Elsa.
"Well, it's what we'll have to expect as long as I can't afford to buy bent pipe or an acetylene welding outfit," said Roger. "But after all, the leaks are the least of my troubles."
"What is troubling you?" asked Charley quickly.
"There isn't as much power there as my calculations had indicated there would be."
"I told you that you were running pretty close on your absorption area," exclaimed Ernest. "You see your temperature readings have been lower right along down here than that table we had up in the laboratory for this region."
"But I don't want to increase the absorption area in order to get more power. It's a clumsy solution. It makes the plant too large and too high priced. The solution to the problem lies in making that engine more efficient." Roger sighed.
"Now don't change your engine design, Roger!" cried Ernest. "That is a peach and has been for years."
"Yes, I know," replied Roger. "But there's a possibility that you and the Dean and I have been too complacent about that engine."
"Gee, but you're a regular pessimist, Rog!" exclaimed Dick.
"No, I'm not. No inventor is. I'm just open minded. And don't think I'm blue, either. If I weren't so heckled and worried by the time and money element I'd be having the time of my life. Wouldn't I, Felicia, honey?"