Instead, her aides offered her for brief interviews later.

An aide came and offered him a glass of water and a pill.

"I can requisition the delivery documents," the aide offered, pleased that she had been successful.

The weary aide brushed some dirt off his slacks and then offered the book for inspection.

Another aide offered this restrained analysis: "Bush seemed more mature than the other two, more up on the issues.

Mrs. Clinton's aides offered varying explanations for her spending record.

"You had a spot of brandy before our meeting, sir," offered an aide.

It is difficult to get his side of the story, because even his closest aides offer only lukewarm assessments at best.

Mr. Koch's aides originally offered $140,000 for the house, although the city had appraised it at $126,500.

The aides have offered some new details on the plan since then, the effect being to lower the plan's potential cost.