Mr. Rose, reflecting the tension over the issue, responded testily to some elected officials who testified in opposition to the plan.

Some state officials, struggling against the swift currents of the tax revolt, respond testily to such gripes.

"Besides, we like to have the best," Jon responded testily.

And when asked why practice was so long, the Knicks' coach responded testily.

"Know what I want to know," the bishop responded testily.

The composer himself responds testily to the word "derivative."

The mayor, responding testily, said, "He doesn't have his facts straight."

"If there are others who want the job, let them have it," General Ramos responded testily the other day.

The city, the Governor responded testily, is "trying to use the children to leverage money out of the state."

"That's a canard," he responds testily, arguing that the agency's top staff is usually available to brief commissioners about issues.