Rosa sat at the kitchen table for several minutes before she realized one hand was over her mouth and had been for quite some time. The other hand still held the letter.
...is in quite a State, naturally. Your Uncle Will has made Inquiries with the local Bounders, but they are stumped, which, all respect to Cousin Fred, is not a terrible Surprise.
Rosa, the family is in a bad way right now, especially your cousins Ivette and Lettice. I am afraid Cuthbert and Marigold, while certainly quite capable and posessed of a great deal of hobbit-sense, are primarily concerned that the rest of the village should not find out. Currently your Aunt and Uncle have told everybody that Fred has decided to visit some very Distant Relatives in the Southfarthing.
Please--if you can--come home. You know I would not ask this of you if I didn't think it were necessary.
Your loving Mother,
Anna
