An hour was more than most people would have given it, he was fairly certain. There were other stores around, even if most of them would have likely given much the same answer. Conformity could be quite an ugly thing.

"They've been giving you trouble for that long?"

The tone of voice was one shading towards shocked incredulity. He could understand persistence in the attempt to protect one's traditions, but even there was a point at which it became too much.