Grimacing quite visibly with each hardcover's fall to the floor, Teresa brought her own hands up to cover her ears from the noise. "I am so sorry," she repeated herself after the books had all crashed to the ground. "I'm fine. I am such a klutz! I'm extremely embarrassed but unharmed. More importantly, how are the books?"
She laughed nervously. "Of course I won't sue. I have all the money in the world. What do I need more for?" After a pause, she felt compelled to further ask, "Why, have you heard that I'm lawsuit-happy?" She raised an eyebrow. She was well aware of the fact that the townspeople liked to gossip about the fuss she had made over losing her job. Quickly remembering her manners, Teresa bent down to pick up an armful of books.