Aides said Mr. Price was especially touchy to the commonly expressed criticism that he makes decisions too slowly.

Talking about Handler will be especially touchy.

"You have three writers who have never worked together before, so it's especially touchy," the company member says.

Allegations of corruption are especially touchy in Taiwan.

The final issues are especially touchy because they are not just commercial questions, according to people with detailed access to information about the negotiations.

Seating arrangements are especially touchy.

The second task was especially touchy, as N.Y.U.'s expansion angered many of its Greenwich Village neighbors.

At one point in his testimony yesterday, when the questioning inched toward the hint that Mr. Milken might have had advance knowledge of a takeover, he seemed especially touchy.

Which is an especially touchy subject when it comes to the novel.