The bottom sagged but held.

Irene Bauer had the second crate braced against her stomach, and Noah and Lily carried a shoebox of loose rolls between them.

Lily counted the crates out loud, one, two, three, four, and then started again.

Four women from the office were standing by the counter with their purses still on their shoulders.

One of them, a secretary named Ruth, stepped back and held the glass door.

Paul Vance came out of his office holding his glasses.