Background
Postmaster Proudfoot might have a lead for you to follow concerning the mysterious events involving Wistmead.
Objective 1
Postmaster Proudfoot is in the Quick Post, and he says he can show you the letters that might hold what you seek.
- Postmaster Proudfoot: 'All right, I have emptied the box of old letters onto the table in the basement. You are welcome to look through them and see if there is anything important.'
- 'Now remember, this is highly unusual. We at the Quick Post do not advocate looking through people's mail! But these letters are so old there should be no harm in it.'
Objective 2
- Follow Postmaster Proudfoot to the Quick Post Basement
Postmaster Proudfoot has offered to show you the old letters to Halson Cleary, which have been kept in the basement of the Quick Post for as long as he can remember.
- Postmaster Proudfoot says, "This way, <name>, this way."
- Postmaster Proudfoot says, "Mind the steps, they can be treacherous if you're not used to them."
- Postmaster Proudfoot says, "Apologies for the mess!"
- Postmaster Proudfoot says, "We are more organised than we seem, I assure you!"
- Postmaster Proudfoot says, "All right, the letters are there for you. I will return in a few minutes."
Objective 3
- Read one of the forgotten letters
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
Objective 4
- Study the letters for some clue to the haunting of Wistmead
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
- Ivy Redsmith: 'Dear Mr. Cleary, I hope I am not intruding, but I wished to write you this note of thanks. I had a delightful visit with you, and am already looking forward to ours of next week. As I promised, I will bring some fresh produce from my father's garden. You will not believe the crunch of our carrots, they are truly something! When next I visit, I will help you clean the weeds out of your own garden. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but I find gardening to be very rewarding. Very sincerely yours, Ivy Redsmith.'
Objective 5
- Read one of the forgotten letters
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
Objective 6
- Study the letters for some clue to the haunting of Wistmead
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
- Ivy Redsmith: 'Dear Mr. Cleary, Thank you once again for another lovely visit! I hope you don't feel too badly about what your neighbours have been saying. They seem a poor lot, mean-spirited and unwelcoming. Pay no heed to their insults, and I will not either. Looking forward to our next visit, Ivy Redsmith.'
Objective 7
- Read one of the forgotten letters
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
Objective 8
- Study the letters for some clue to the haunting of Wistmead
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
- Ivy Redsmith: 'Dear Mr. Cleary, This winter has been very bad, hasn't it? I am sorry to tell you the weather must keep me at home; I cannot visit this week. But I promise to bring some soap and towels with me when next I visit. I will scrub away the mean things your neighbours wrote on your fence in no time. Warm regards (even in the cold!), Ivy Redsmith.'
Objective 9
- Read one of the forgotten letters
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
Objective 10
- Study the letters for some clue to the haunting of Wistmead
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
- Ivy Redsmith: 'Dear Mr. Cleary, Has it already been two months? I cannot believe it, but I know it is so. I have never seen snow like this. It began as a winter's lark, but now... I am sorry I have not been able to visit. There is no sign of the weather's improvement, and my family's worries deepen every day. I promise I will see you as soon as the winter ends! Waiting to see the sun again, Ivy Redsmith.'
Objective 11
- Read one of the forgotten letters
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
Objective 12
- Study the letters for some clue to the haunting of Wistmead
Piles of forgotten letters to Halson Cleary can be found in the Quick Post basement.
- Ivy Redsmith: 'Dear Mr. Cleary, They say this terrible winter might soon be done, though they have said this before. I hope this time they are right, for it has taken its toll on my family and on my friends. Our food is nearly gone; they say it will be a time of famine unless something can be done. Do not think I am being forward, but... I am worried for you, Halson. Your home was in no state to weather such a winter as we have had. I hope your neighbours at last showed you kindness. Could they have given you shelter, shared their food, and found warmth in their hearts for you? I hope they have. They would be cruel hobbits indeed if they have not. Are my letters being delivered? I have heard no word from you for more than a year, Halson! You could not possibly have stayed in your home this whole time. Could you? Worried, hungry, and afraid for you, Your dear friend, Ivy Redsmith.'
- You fold up the last of the letters and return it to its envelope
Objective 13
- Talk to Postmaster Proudfoot in the basement of the Quick Post
Postmaster Proudfoot has returned to the basement of the Quick Post and is waiting to hear what you have learned.
- Postmaster Proudfoot says, "So how did it go?"
- Postmaster Proudfoot: 'What did you find out from those letters, <name>? Did you learn anything of use?'
- You briefly describe some of what Ivy Redsmith wrote to Halson Cleary, and as your tale progresses Hugo's eyebrows furrow and he strokes his chin, deep in thought.
- Postmaster Proudfoot: 'These letters are indeed very old! It seems to me that Ivy and Halson lived during the time of the Long Winter, which gripped the Shire more than two hundred and fifty years ago! That winter was the longest ever recorded, and it was followed by the Days of Dearth, a period of famine and unhappiness the like of which has never been seen again. It is said that many hobbits died during that winter and the food shortage that followed. I hope that fate did not befall Ivy or Halson, but if there are no further letters it seems likely they came to sad ends.
- 'I wonder why these letters were never delivered? The hobbits of the Quick Post must have had their hands full just trying to survive the Long Winter, but still I would have expected them to make an effort, at least before it became clear the winter was worse than usual. It does strike me as somewhat odd that the letters that pre-date the snows were not delivered.'
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