Well, we won't be hurting for food come time for the Yule Supper, that's for sure and certain! Between dear Miss Gail coming by with mushrooms and taters, and Master Maurr going to the market far more than he has to (because his heart is just that big, bless his beard), we're hard-pressed to eat fast enough to keep up. Luckily, we've had quite a crowded table the past few nights, so at least things are being used up a bit! Miss Finchley's staying here now, Miss Kithri were here to visit and help with some cooking and ordered me off my feet like a fierce little hobbit mama. I didn't dare argue with her.
A strange man called Mister Haint has been staying here as well. He showed up outside the Boarding House, just sitting there, and nearly spooked me out of my skin when I came out. I'm not sure he's got all his marbles in order. He wears a blindfold, but says he's not really blind, it's just to keep from being tricked by folks' eyes and smiles and such. He sits and sleeps on the floor and won't touch a chair or a bed. He said people brought him here and put coin in his pocket, but he couldn't say who they were. I weren't sure he were safe to be around at first, and to be honest, I'm still not sure. He doesn't seem violent or dangerous, but I know all too well how a man can go from calm one moment to swinging fists the next. Master Maurr and Master Tumunir didn't like him one bit when he first came into the house. It's their home, I know, and they feel protective of it, and of me. I told Mister Haint as long as he's an honest soul who isn't going to make trouble, he can stay all he likes.
It's a hard thing to know what to do when such an odd situation happens. I have a duty to keep the house running and welcoming to folk what need a place to stay. But I also have a duty to make sure that I'm not letting anyone in who's dangerous or unsavory. I hope I've done the right thing.
I haven't heard a peep from the Soothery, or seen much of anyone coming and going. I would invite them over for a meal or some tea since it's Yuletide but... after my gift was sent back unopened, it seems that door is closed. I'm not sure what I did to be treated so, and it grates on my heart to not be neighborly to my own neighbors, but it's more important to respect their wishes. My door is always open and they can use it or not if they want. Ma always said that we can't do anything about the way other folk behave, only ourselves.
I need to get back to working on this baby blanket for Miss Gail's family! Mister Haint said I should make it green since that will be all right whether it's a boy or a girl. I found some more of the yarn I'd used to make Master Maurr's scarf. It's a real nice shade of deep, dark green, the way I imagine emeralds would look, though I've never seen one with my own eyes. I hope Miss Gail likes it.
