[Orual]

After it had been established that the two children would stay with the travellers, Sam hadn't said a single word. It had thrown him terribly when Prim had begun to cry, and he seriously doubted that he had done the right thing by taking Elanor and running off. Their parents would be awfully worried, and so would Mr. Bilbo, and Cami, and everybody else. He gave a guilty start when Elanor spoke, then calmed down.

"I wish that too, Elanor," he whispered back. "I wish it a lot."

What was I thinking? he asked himself harshly, scowling. Now Cami's all alone to take care of Marigold and handle Bowman. Some kind of friend I am. The kind that lets people down when they need help the most. He started to cry, but abruptly stopped himself; that wasn't going to help anything for sure. He'd just try to make it right, and help out as best he could here. He fiercely wiped his eyes. Maybe he hadn't done the right thing, but he'd try to make it better. He wouldn't let Mr. Bilbo down.