"Dear Mummy,
Please hug Fatty and Tuney for me. I miss you all lots."
Am I crazy? What have I done sending my little girl away to serve at the inn? She is not yet of age, and has to work so hard she can not even write us often, here, "some times my fingers shake in the evening if I hold even a quill". But what choice we had, take neighbour Proudfoot's offer for her to be maid at Red Dragonor do the same at Mrs Lobelia's, and that boy of hers... the way he looks at my girls gives me the shivers. Thank goodness he is of age next year, and every proper and self-respecting hobbit should well be thinking of taking a wife by the time he is 33. No, Marigold is best where she is for now. Neighbour Proudfoot may have a temper and a lot of work for her, but he at least does not shrill at nothing like Mrs Lobelia does.
Hm, "dropped a mug", oh, Goldy. - "Good market at Bayswater square two days ago." We should've come to see her then, but Fatty was so sick after Ceriadoc's birthday party. - Mrs Proudfoot said she's doing well despite the mug. That's my girl, Marigold.
Now what's this,
"Dearest Mummy,
you told me to write everything to you, but please, please do not tell Mrs Lobelia, you know how she goes on about him. Mr Proudfoot sent me to Mary's for eggs today, and the strangest thing happened. I saw Uncle Bo running through Bayswater, hatless! But if that is strange, for when does he run not on our birthdays? he went and met a dwarf at the bridge! A dwarf Over the Hill! I have never seen one in my life, have you, Mummy? That dwarf was tall, and wore a blue cloak. Oh, and he was so old, and grey, and his beard, I swear, it swept the floor. Do you know why Uncle Bo ran like this, to meet a dwarf, Mum? He is nice, but is this why Mrs Lobelia does not like him, because he runs away to meet Outlanders? I like Uncle Bo lots, does he really do it often?
Your loving daughter, Goldy."
Oh, baby, was it really Cousin Bilbo you have seen? He is such a respectable young hobbit, so much like his good memory father Bungo, too.
What times are we living in! Dwarves out in the Shire!
"Fred, Petunia! Put your hats on, we're going to visit with Uncle Bilbo!"