if ( Config.DEBUG )
   {
   if ( ! ( smallestAllowable <= whatItIs && whatItIs <= largestAllowable ) )
      {
      throw new IllegalArgumentException ( "bad range: "
                                           + smallestAllowable
                                           + " <= "
                                           + whatItIs
                                           + " <= "
                                           + largestAllowable
                                         );
      }
   }