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piosenniel · 11-08-2003, 01:36 PM

Bettina, Peony, Delphina - organising the escort of the children to and from school

Bettina Butterbur motioned Peony Woodruff and Delphina Comfrey aside once the Innkeeper had finished speaking. ‘I think Miz Andreth has a good idea. What if we divide up the ferrying of the children back and forth to school?’ The two Hobbit ladies nodded their agreement, suggesting they organize the Little Folk if Miz Butterbur would see to the Big Folk. ‘The Hobbits would be happy to see to getting the children to school,’ Peony said, ticking off the Little Folk families she saw gathered. ‘Could the Big Folk see to getting them home after school?’ ‘Of course they can,’ affirmed Bettina. She was widely known for her ability to organize (or “bully”, some of her former ‘volunteers’ thought), and the certain gleam in her eye was growing brighter as she focused in on the pool of potential volunteers gathered here, and the uncounted ones who had not come to this early morning meeting.

She walked over to where Alvinac stood, recalling his favorable words about the Little Folk. A hand on his arm and a few whispered words to him, accompanied at first by a look of surprise then a nod of agreement, and then Alvinac was stepping to the front of the group with Bettina.

‘Listen up, Bree-landers!’ came the authoritative voice of Bettina as Alvinac stood behind her. ‘The Miller and I have volunteered to bring the children home from school today. He’ll take one group and I’ll take another.’ She ignored the raised eyebrows and muttered comments and sailed on with the rest of her speech. ‘All you Big Folk come over here and we’ll get the rest of the afternoons organized for getting the children home.’ She nodded at Delphina and Peony, who raised their hands to draw the attention of the crowd.

‘And if all you Hobbits will gather over here,’ came the clear voice of Peony Woodruff, her voice at first a little timid, then taking on confidence as Bettina and Delphina smiled at her. ‘We’ll be doing the morning job of getting the children to school.’ She drew Delphina up by her. 'Miz Comfrey and I will do the two groups tomorrow morning.’

Delphina motioned the hesitant Hobbits over. ‘Come now,’ she said in a no nonsense voice her children recognized. ‘Give us the days you can help out and we’ll get you paired up.’

Soon the Big Folk and the Little Folk had sorted themselves out in pairs and picked a suitable day for themselves. Miz Andreth nodded at the three ladies, who waved at her as they hugged their children, each admonishing them to be good, pay attention to Miz Andreth, and to wait for their escort home.

[ November 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

11-08-2003, 01:36 PM	#137
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Bettina, Peony, Delphina - organising the escort of the children to and from school Bettina Butterbur motioned Peony Woodruff and Delphina Comfrey aside once the Innkeeper had finished speaking. ‘I think Miz Andreth has a good idea. What if we divide up the ferrying of the children back and forth to school?’ The two Hobbit ladies nodded their agreement, suggesting they organize the Little Folk if Miz Butterbur would see to the Big Folk. ‘The Hobbits would be happy to see to getting the children to school,’ Peony said, ticking off the Little Folk families she saw gathered. ‘Could the Big Folk see to getting them home after school?’ ‘Of course they can,’ affirmed Bettina. She was widely known for her ability to organize (or “bully”, some of her former ‘volunteers’ thought), and the certain gleam in her eye was growing brighter as she focused in on the pool of potential volunteers gathered here, and the uncounted ones who had not come to this early morning meeting. She walked over to where Alvinac stood, recalling his favorable words about the Little Folk. A hand on his arm and a few whispered words to him, accompanied at first by a look of surprise then a nod of agreement, and then Alvinac was stepping to the front of the group with Bettina. ‘Listen up, Bree-landers!’ came the authoritative voice of Bettina as Alvinac stood behind her. ‘The Miller and I have volunteered to bring the children home from school today. He’ll take one group and I’ll take another.’ She ignored the raised eyebrows and muttered comments and sailed on with the rest of her speech. ‘All you Big Folk come over here and we’ll get the rest of the afternoons organized for getting the children home.’ She nodded at Delphina and Peony, who raised their hands to draw the attention of the crowd. ‘And if all you Hobbits will gather over here,’ came the clear voice of Peony Woodruff, her voice at first a little timid, then taking on confidence as Bettina and Delphina smiled at her. ‘We’ll be doing the morning job of getting the children to school.’ She drew Delphina up by her. 'Miz Comfrey and I will do the two groups tomorrow morning.’ Delphina motioned the hesitant Hobbits over. ‘Come now,’ she said in a no nonsense voice her children recognized. ‘Give us the days you can help out and we’ll get you paired up.’ Soon the Big Folk and the Little Folk had sorted themselves out in pairs and picked a suitable day for themselves. Miz Andreth nodded at the three ladies, who waved at her as they hugged their children, each admonishing them to be good, pay attention to Miz Andreth, and to wait for their escort home. [ November 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.