[Nurumaiel]

The door to the new schoolroom opened and Marigold crept in, rubbing her eyes and gazing about her in a dazed fashion. When she saw Camille, she burst into a radiant smile, more confident now that she saw she knew someone in the room.

"Goodness, but I'm aching!" she said, bending down and rubbing her legs. "I have bruises all over me from falling off that horse. But I'm so glad to be out of bed." She turned her eyes to Miz Bella, who had re-entered the room to make sure Camille was doing all right, and, after an uncertain pause, dropped a little curtsy. "Good morning, ma'am," she said. "I've come to attend the school, and to help you fix everything up. Mr Headstrong will be coming soon to help, as well. Oh, and my name is Marigold."

Miz Bella's smile was warm and inviting. "Good morning, Marigold," she replied. "It's good of you to come help us."

Perhaps she would have said more, but Marigold interrupted, more confident before as result of the kind words. "Yes, isn't it good of me?" she said, beaming. "I'm so excited about the school. I know a little bit of my letters, because my papa taught me. But I want to learn more. It takes me a long time to spell out words, and I once saw a hobbit who could read it just like it was all coming out of his head, he was going so fast and easy!" Her eyes widened at the memory, and she nodded firmly. "I want to be able to read like that."