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Old 10-09-2006, 10:26 AM   #374
bill_n_sam
Animated Skeleton
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 45
bill_n_sam has just left Hobbiton.
Swiping the last crust of toast through a smear of egg yolk, Rusty crammed the bread into his mouth and shoved his stool away from the crowded table. Nodding perfunctorily at Lily and her neighbor on the other side, he rose and brushed the crumbs from his waistcoat. Sticking his thumbs through his braces, he ambled over to the kitchen doorway, stepping aside as Rowan rushed through with a heavily laden tray.

“Now Dick,” Rusty began, thrusting his head in the door. “What’s all this I hear about wolves . . . “The shirrif broke off abruptly as he caught sight of Prim standing propped up on her crutch. The lass looked tired and distressed. “Why cousin, whatever in the world has befallen you?” Rusty asked, more upset that he had somehow missed out on some bit of local happenings than the fact that his young cousin was hurt. Shaking his head ruefully, Rusty surveyed this distant relation, a second cousin three times removed if he had calculated rightly. Prim always had been a touch flighty, no doubt she was the cause of her own injuries. Well, no wonder, growing up with that loud brood of brothers and sisters. Rusty had been a bit skeptical when he had first heard of her leaving the family abode and taking up as Miss Cela’s assistant. But she had done well, had little Prim, and no shame to the family at all. His initial irritation at being out of the loop of local gossip giving way quickly to his innate sense of compassion, Rusty’s look softened as he asked again, “Now, my lass, you’re looking right done up. What’s happened to you?”
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