My Dearest Miss Dahlia,
Nigh on two months come and gone since I left home, and you must know that I awful regret I have not written you a proper letter sooner. If I know my Ma Burrows, then I know she be worriting more than she ought let her goodly heart! And I do so miss you and the others back in Buckland. Sweet Peony and Rose, and that dear Belmodoc. Oh, I do become so sentimental when I am reminded of them, which is often. Now that I am away, more than ever I feel so very grateful for your kindness to me in Buckland. Here come a lass with naught more than what she wearing and no relations there to speak of, but you! Bless you so for taking a poor girl in, you were so much kinder than I ever ought deserved. If anybody in the world ever been a mum to me, Miss Dahlia, it must be you.
Oh, don't mind the smudges on this letter -- they ain't tears! Just a drizzle come through the window, mind you!
And yes, look at me here, writing "back home"! feeling awful sick sometimes for the cosy burrow of Burrowses in Newbury, When all the time I was there, it was the Shire proper I thought was "back home"!
But don't mind me fussing, Miss Dahlia! The folk here in the Southfarthing and Hobbiton are so very friendly and kind. I know I'll get along in right no time at all. One just gets lonely when one don't know anyone so well as to yet as to call anyone a great friend. I reckon I felt the same way when I first arrived in Newbury, no? Only now I worry if I truly
belong anywhere at all! But get back on my feet, I will. It's just what should be done right now, come back and find out who Orleanda Lightfoot is for meself, for once!
I have been back to Overhill once or twice, saw old Dad and me brothers -- they're doing nicely for themselves, what with Thad and Jad doing a delivery business between here and Bree-town, and old Madfast working for the post. S'pose the travelling vapours hit all us Overhill Lightfoots these days, didnit!
So don't you be a-worriting too much about little Lindy! I'm getting right back up for meself and it seems hardly an effort. My woodworking trade goes well enough that I've already me own little roof and hearth, and I don't think a Hobbit CAN run short of food down here in Hobbiton, coin or not!
Please give my regards to Peony and Rose and the rest of the family, and to Belmodoc if you see him abouts. I love and miss you all, and I shall come back to visit. It's a promise!
Love,
Lindy Lightfoot
