PeachPawz: You're correct. My brain gets ahead of my fingers sometimes. My English teachers are smacking me on the head! LOL!
Ch 6 Troubles in Tuckborough
Holmes looked again at the wardrobe. As he looked inside, he picked something from the doorframe, and put it in his pocket. He examined the floor where the wand had rested. As he finished his examination, the steward entered the room.
"Thain, there is a problem with the fodder for the horses. Evidently, some of the hay got wet, and is not fit to give it to the animals. Is there anymore fresh hay?"
"How did it get wet? I thought the roof had been repaired, and fresh hay stored. You know we can't use moldy hay. Please send a messenger to Buckland. See if it is possible for them to sell some so we can care for the animals," said Pippin.
"Very well, sir." With that, the steward took his leave. Peregrin shook his head.
"It seems that things are getting out of control. Just when I think things are going smoothly, a problem crops up. It's never anything really serious, just a lot of little things. It's more of a nuisance than anything. I'm sorry. I did not mean to tell you of my troubles. I hope you will forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive, Thain. As for your troubles, I would very much like to hear exactly what has gone wrong. It might even make them seem less burdensome. Please tell me what has happened," said Holmes with a smile.
"Hm, perhaps you're right. Very well, let me see. I'm not sure of some of the sequences as far as time is concerned, but I will try to be as concise as possible. First, the cows got out of the paddock and into the cornfield, ruining the harvest. Then, the roof on the stable developed a hole, which, when it rained, got the hay wet. The hay then got moldy, so, of course it was unusable. Someone then let the horses out of the paddock, and they wound up in Buckland. Luckily, Merry, my cousin, found them and returned them. Then, someone dammed the river so it would overflow its banks. Then, someone started a fire outside the barn, which was put out with no one getting hurt," replied Peregrin.
"Don't forget about the flour and sugar being mixed together. Also, someone spilled the ale out of the casks. Also, someone tore the bed linens, and threw ashes from the fireplaces all over the floors," said Diamond, as she came in to tell us that our rooms were ready. "It took us all day to clean everything. I had to wash all the curtains as well. It appeared as though they were used for towels."
I could sense how unsettling it was for her. Peregrin put his arm around his wife's waist in wordless comfort. She gave us a smile, and left the room. Pippin looked after her and said quietly "I hope that nothing else goes wrong. She is my strength and my comfort. I bid you good night, and pleasant dreams. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new day. I will see you at breakfast. Thank you again for taking the time to come here." With a bow, the Thain quietly left the room and shut the door.
