The Green Dragon Inn - Part 4

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

“Yes, please do join us, but I think we had better have our supper soon or go without!” Gilly said slipping the handkerchief in her pocket alongside the unopened envelope. It reminded her greatly of the small bundles she was presented with when her children were losing their teeth. “ I thought I heard that they have already run out of buttered peas and I just know those lovely biscuits will be next!”

“I have already supped, but would keep you company while you enjoy your meal. I do not mind,” said the woman taking the chair offered by Benia. “I am known as Aleia.”

“Well met Miss Aleia, I am Gilly Banks of Bywater and this is my dear old friend Miss Benia who has come to the Shire for a visit. Please make yourself comfortable, and if you will excuse me for just a minute I will go see if I can scrounge up something for us to eat or we won’t be able to hear each other over the roar of my stomach!” Gilly thus excused herself and quickly made her way to the kitchen, thinking as she went that this was the second time in as many days that she no sooner met someone than went directly off in search of food! But food is such a pleasant and comforting necessity! She thought.

As she rounded the corner to the kitchen she quite literally ran into Ruby, who carrying a dishrag had been on her way to wipe down tables. Gilly flushed red from embarrassment and apologized profusely. After some rather awkward conversation, Ruby helped supply Gilly with two plates and followed her back to the table carrying the cutlery and cups of mead. “Thank you so much for the help Ruby,” she said as she arranged the items on the table.

“Here we go,” said Gilly “Now that didn’t take long did it?”

[ June 03, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]