11.   The stocks of the big multinational companies have soared to lofty heights in recent years on the belief they could deliver steadily rising earnings under any economic circumstances.

12.   The young man whose job it is to take the torch from the veteran warrior and to usher the Rockets back to those lofty heights.

13.   But just how sure of a thing are estimates of surpluses to come, especially now that the stock market has plunged from its lofty heights?