his voice raised to a high pitch,
sneeringly expressing his feelings of contempt for the offender; and yet
when the culprit, like a bad school-boy, has left the room, Edison has
immediately returned to his normal poise, and the incident is a thing
of the past. At other times the unsettled condition persists, and his
spleen is vented not only on the original instigator but upon others who
may have occasion to see him, sometimes hours afterward. When such a
fit is on him the word is quickly passed around, and but few of his
associates find it necessary to consult with him at the time. The
genuine anger can generally be distinguished from the imitation article
by those who know him intimately by the fact that when really enraged
his forehead between the eyes partakes of a curious rotary movement that
cannot be adequately described in words. It is as if the storm-clouds
within are moving like a whirling cyclone. As a general rule, Edison
does not get genuinely angry at mistakes and other human weaknesses of
his subordinates; at best he merely simulates anger. But woe betide the
one who has committed an act of bad faith, treachery, dishonesty, or
ingratitude; THEN Edison can show what it is for a strong man to get
downright mad. But in this respect he is singularly free, and his
spells of anger are really few. In fact, those who know him best are
continually surprised at his moderation and patience, often when there
has been great provocation. People who come in contact with him and who
may have occasion to oppose his views, may leave with the impression
that he is hot-tempered; nothing could be further from the truth. He
argues his point with great vehemence, pounds on the table to emphasize
his views, and illustrates his theme with a wealth of apt similes; but,
on account of his deafness, it is difficult to make the argument really
two-sided. Before the visitor can fully explain his side of the matter
some point is brought up that starts Edison off again, and new arguments
from his viewpoint are poured forth. This constant interruption is taken
by many to mean that Edison has a small opinion of any arguments that
oppose him; but he is only intensely in earnest in presenting his own
side. If the visitor persists until Edison has seen both sides of the
controversy, he is always willing to frankly admit that his own views
may be unsound and that his opponent is right. In fact, after such a
controversy, both parties going after