Artist's commentary
Hang in There, Kogasa-san 1921
The elevator only went to the first floor, so it seems they had a pretty rough time going up and down the stairs to the basement. Apparently, starting partway through, they even stopped coming to take away the empty pitchers. :-)
After this, I hear #81-san and the volunteers gave it their best. Well, not like there was a choice.
It was getting to feel a bit like mountain climbing!