This letter is sent from the Shire to Staddle in the Bree-land via Buckland. It is addressed to one Ottho Hobbs, so may be found (upon arrival) in his possession. The envelope of this letter bears a red, unbroken seal upon it. On the other side is written:
MR. OTTHO HOBBS
STADDLE
THE BREE-LAND
The letter reads:
Dearest Ottho,
I must express my deepest apologies to you for the lateness of my reply! Your kind letter arrived quite some time ago, but I fear it became buried beneath a great weight of paperwork, that I am woe to organise, until I uncovered it this very hour. It would seem that my courtesy became buried by other distractions, too. Alas for old age!
It was indeed warming to receive a letter from you; I must say that your calligraphy is coming along a treat since we parted company. Staddle is unfamiliar to me, so I write with concern that this letter might not find its intended recipient. I shall be certain to send this to my cousins in Buckland, with instructions to forward it onto Bree - and beyond there I cannot tell. No doubt there shall be further delay with the posting, which will serve only to augment my discourtesy.
I trust that you have settled well into your new home, and find your new living arrangements agreeable. A hole is only as homely as its hobbit, as my mother used to say. Winter is well and truly set in here now, and I have no doubt of snow in the coming days and weeks. Do keep yourself warm! It is pleasing, beyond good measure, to read about your neighbours' amazement at your newfound literacy. Do not think it a burden; there is much joy to be found in helping others, especially at Yuletide.
It is my hope that these words find you in good health and mirth, and that you might write back at your convenience,
Your friend, wishing you a most merry Yule,
Brablo Boffin
