It was an onerous thing to ask of anyone, not something I would have enjoyed doing for myself, let alone for someone else. I acknowledged as much in my email. So it was with forked tongue that I urged them not to take any trouble fulfilling my request, even as I was making it!
Last week they showed up at a potluck BBQ bearing eight -- count them -- eight!!! -- not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven -- but eight prized titles!
These are heavy books, expensive too, and they had toted them to Chicago all the way from Tokyo! Truly a bounteous harvest and among the kindest acts of friendship!