Chapter 5
A Knuckle Sandwich for Lotho
Sam waved to Hamson as he walked down the small dirt road that led into Hobbiton. He would miss his brother and hoped that he would see him soon.
Standing at the front door of Bag End, Sam began to knock on the familiar round green door of Bilbo Baggins. It did not take long until the door swung open and Frodo greeted him.
"Hullo, Sam. Back so soon to tend the gardens?" said Frodo.
"No, Mr. Frodo. I am on holiday. I was wondering, that is, maybe you would like to go fishing or something?" Sam paused for a moment feeling very uncomfortable. Then he continued, "I mean, that is if you were not doing anything. I would more than understand if you were busy or maybe you might not want to be seen with a gardener's son."
"Sam, do not be silly. Of course I would enjoy having your company. I just poured some tea for Bilbo and myself. Would you join us?" asked Frodo.
"If your sure I am not disturbing you or anything," said Sam.
"Of course not, do come in."
Frodo moved to the side to allow Sam in. He motioned for Sam to follow him. He led Sam into the study where Bilbo was standing on a small ladder trying to put some books away.
"Good day, Sam," greeted Bilbo.
"Good day to you too, Mr. Baggins," said Sam.
"I was just going to pour Sam a cup of tea. Will you join us Bilbo?" asked Frodo.
"Yes, yes. Just give me a few minutes so I can put these books away," commented Bilbo.
Frodo turned and left the study to get the kettle of hot water and another teacup for Sam.
Sam stood in the middle of the study and slowly gazed around the room. Bilbo had stacks of books and maps lying all around the room. Stacks were piled on the table and on one of the chairs. Books were also piled high on the floor just in front of the study table. Even in the window seal Sam could see more books.
"Sam could you hand the thick book entitled 'Maps and Things'," Bilbo asked as he pointed to the stacks of books on the table.
"I would Mr. Bilbo, but my reading is not that good," Sam told him.
"It is that large green book with the gold letters on it," Bilbo told him.
Sam looked at the books carefully until he spotted the one Bilbo wanted.
"You have never been taught to read Sam?" asked Bilbo.
"I have tried a few times, but letter learning was a bit hard for me," Sam commented.
"Well, we will have to teach you then now, won't we," Bilbo told him.
"If you say so, Mr. Baggins."
Frodo brought in the tea and set in on the table. Bilbo put the book away on the bookshelf and joined the two for tea.
"Sam has been telling me that he has never really learned how to read. I have been teaching Frodo here in my study every summer. Would you like to join us on some of our lessons?" asked Bilbo.
"Yes, of course. I would love it," Sam said as he smiled up at Mr. Baggins.
"Well then, we will start right away," Bilbo told him.
The three worked all morning and Frodo was very impressed with how much Sam had learned. Frodo was glad to have someone with him as he studied. Sam had so much fun that he was surprised when Bilbo announced that it was time for luncheon. They had worked all morning, but it did not seem that way to Sam. He enjoyed the hours being with Frodo. He did not even mind when Bilbo would get long winded in telling them one of his many stories. Sam forgot all of his troubles that weighed heavy on his mind. He was so caught up in learning his letters and the sounds that they made. He practiced writing his letters. By luncheon Sam was beginning to read. Most of all Sam loved the poems that Frodo would write and he listen, as Frodo would read them.
Frodo would practice the elegant writing of script that Bilbo taught him. Even Sam admired the elegant writing. He thought it as pretty as a picture.
After the luncheon, Bilbo made Sam promise he would come every morning to work on his reading. Sam told him that he would try, but he was not too sure about what the Gaffer would say about that.
"Don't worry Sam, I will take care of the Gaffer. You just make sure you are here every morning half past eight by Shire clock," Bilbo told him.
Frodo grabbed his fishing pole and handed Sam another one. "Let's go fishing Sam. Do you know of any good spot to catch fish?" asked Frodo.
"Yes, there is a small creek that leads to a pond just off Bagshot Row," said Sam.
"Well then, let's be off."
~*~
The Gaffer told his wife that he was going to go into Hobbiton to purchase a bag of nails. He was going to fix the roof on the barn himself. He went to the barn and hitched the wagon to his pony and road to Hobbiton.
Mrs. Gamgee was relieved to finally have the house to herself which was a rare occurrence. This was her idea of a holiday. She would pamper herself by going back to bed to sleep a few extra hours. Her leg was stiff and sore as she cleaned up the teacups that sat on the kitchen table. She pulled her skirt up to examine her leg. The cut on her leg was becoming infected. It was red and swollen. She noticed red streaks were running up the side of her leg.
She took out her herbal medicine and began to make a poultice that she placed on her wound and wrapped it up tightly. 'Awe, that should do it,' she commented to herself as she hobbled back to her bed for an extra hour of sleep.
As soon as her head hit the pillow she was sound to sleep.
~*~
Following the creek Sam told Frodo all about the Gaffer and the thing that the Gaffer had to say about any particular subject. Frodo laughed at the way Sam could imitate his father.
Frodo also told Sam about Bilbo and his quaint phrases. They both roared with laughter. Sam suddenly halted and held his arm up to stop Frodo. He hushed him and pointed towards the pond. There fishing was Lotho Sackville- Baggins.
"Maybe we should do something else. The fish will not be really biting until after sunset anyway," said Sam.
"Lotho can be a handful, but he won't bother us," commented Frodo.
"He'll not bother you, Mr. Frodo. But he will be trouble pretty quick as long as you are with me."
Lotho suddenly looked up and saw the two standing just before the clearing by a small group of trees.
"Well, he has seen us, so we might as well go fishing, Sam."
Sam shrugged his shoulders and followed Frodo as he walked directly towards Lotho to greet him.
"So when does a Baggins go fishing with the hired help?" asked Lotho as he glared at Sam.
"Now Lotho, Sam is my friend and I want you to treat him as that," Frodo told him.
"There is only one way to treat a Gamgee and that's to trottle him," said Lotho as he tried to push his way pass Frodo.
Frodo held on to Lotho, who pushed Frodo to the ground.
Sam made ready his knuckles as he clutched his hands into a fists. Then before Lotho could take another step, Sam smacked Lotho across the nose causing it to bleed.
Lotho's eyes watered as he held his hand up towards his nose. He glared at Sam with hatred.
"If you want another knuckle sandwich take another step," Sam said, as he stood ready.
Lotho backed away, "I wouldn't waste my time on a Gamgee nor should you Frodo." Lotho grabbed his fishing pole and snarled back at Sam. "This isn't over with, Gamgee. You hear me," threatened Lotho.
"Off with you now, before I change my thinking and trottle you again," Sam yelled back at him. They watched Lotho hasten his footsteps out of the clearing and back to Hobbiton.
"Sam pay no mind to what Lotho said. He is just full of himself," said Frodo. "Come we have the pond to ourselves."
"Oh, I am not worried about Lotho. Us Gamgees has had troubles with him before. I'd give a lot if he would just leave us alone. Maybe someday he will turn over a new leaf. Until then, I will have to keep a knuckle sandwich just for him," Sam laughed as he held up his fist to show Frodo.
Long into the afternoon they fished and talked with each other. However, outside of a nibble here and there, they did not catch one fish. Sam lay back on the banks and closed his eyes for a moment. While Frodo who was beginning to sweat from the heat of the summer sun that was beating down on them. He thought to take a swim in the pond. Something that he and his cousins would do at Buckland, swim in the Brandywine river.
Sam opened his eyes and looked about for Frodo. When his eyes caught Frodo sinking in the water in the pond. Sam screamed loudly, I'm coming, Mr. Frodo," as he ran headfirst into the water without thinking he could not swim. Sam sunk to the bottom of the pond as if he was a rock.
A Knuckle Sandwich for Lotho
Sam waved to Hamson as he walked down the small dirt road that led into Hobbiton. He would miss his brother and hoped that he would see him soon.
Standing at the front door of Bag End, Sam began to knock on the familiar round green door of Bilbo Baggins. It did not take long until the door swung open and Frodo greeted him.
"Hullo, Sam. Back so soon to tend the gardens?" said Frodo.
"No, Mr. Frodo. I am on holiday. I was wondering, that is, maybe you would like to go fishing or something?" Sam paused for a moment feeling very uncomfortable. Then he continued, "I mean, that is if you were not doing anything. I would more than understand if you were busy or maybe you might not want to be seen with a gardener's son."
"Sam, do not be silly. Of course I would enjoy having your company. I just poured some tea for Bilbo and myself. Would you join us?" asked Frodo.
"If your sure I am not disturbing you or anything," said Sam.
"Of course not, do come in."
Frodo moved to the side to allow Sam in. He motioned for Sam to follow him. He led Sam into the study where Bilbo was standing on a small ladder trying to put some books away.
"Good day, Sam," greeted Bilbo.
"Good day to you too, Mr. Baggins," said Sam.
"I was just going to pour Sam a cup of tea. Will you join us Bilbo?" asked Frodo.
"Yes, yes. Just give me a few minutes so I can put these books away," commented Bilbo.
Frodo turned and left the study to get the kettle of hot water and another teacup for Sam.
Sam stood in the middle of the study and slowly gazed around the room. Bilbo had stacks of books and maps lying all around the room. Stacks were piled on the table and on one of the chairs. Books were also piled high on the floor just in front of the study table. Even in the window seal Sam could see more books.
"Sam could you hand the thick book entitled 'Maps and Things'," Bilbo asked as he pointed to the stacks of books on the table.
"I would Mr. Bilbo, but my reading is not that good," Sam told him.
"It is that large green book with the gold letters on it," Bilbo told him.
Sam looked at the books carefully until he spotted the one Bilbo wanted.
"You have never been taught to read Sam?" asked Bilbo.
"I have tried a few times, but letter learning was a bit hard for me," Sam commented.
"Well, we will have to teach you then now, won't we," Bilbo told him.
"If you say so, Mr. Baggins."
Frodo brought in the tea and set in on the table. Bilbo put the book away on the bookshelf and joined the two for tea.
"Sam has been telling me that he has never really learned how to read. I have been teaching Frodo here in my study every summer. Would you like to join us on some of our lessons?" asked Bilbo.
"Yes, of course. I would love it," Sam said as he smiled up at Mr. Baggins.
"Well then, we will start right away," Bilbo told him.
The three worked all morning and Frodo was very impressed with how much Sam had learned. Frodo was glad to have someone with him as he studied. Sam had so much fun that he was surprised when Bilbo announced that it was time for luncheon. They had worked all morning, but it did not seem that way to Sam. He enjoyed the hours being with Frodo. He did not even mind when Bilbo would get long winded in telling them one of his many stories. Sam forgot all of his troubles that weighed heavy on his mind. He was so caught up in learning his letters and the sounds that they made. He practiced writing his letters. By luncheon Sam was beginning to read. Most of all Sam loved the poems that Frodo would write and he listen, as Frodo would read them.
Frodo would practice the elegant writing of script that Bilbo taught him. Even Sam admired the elegant writing. He thought it as pretty as a picture.
After the luncheon, Bilbo made Sam promise he would come every morning to work on his reading. Sam told him that he would try, but he was not too sure about what the Gaffer would say about that.
"Don't worry Sam, I will take care of the Gaffer. You just make sure you are here every morning half past eight by Shire clock," Bilbo told him.
Frodo grabbed his fishing pole and handed Sam another one. "Let's go fishing Sam. Do you know of any good spot to catch fish?" asked Frodo.
"Yes, there is a small creek that leads to a pond just off Bagshot Row," said Sam.
"Well then, let's be off."
~*~
The Gaffer told his wife that he was going to go into Hobbiton to purchase a bag of nails. He was going to fix the roof on the barn himself. He went to the barn and hitched the wagon to his pony and road to Hobbiton.
Mrs. Gamgee was relieved to finally have the house to herself which was a rare occurrence. This was her idea of a holiday. She would pamper herself by going back to bed to sleep a few extra hours. Her leg was stiff and sore as she cleaned up the teacups that sat on the kitchen table. She pulled her skirt up to examine her leg. The cut on her leg was becoming infected. It was red and swollen. She noticed red streaks were running up the side of her leg.
She took out her herbal medicine and began to make a poultice that she placed on her wound and wrapped it up tightly. 'Awe, that should do it,' she commented to herself as she hobbled back to her bed for an extra hour of sleep.
As soon as her head hit the pillow she was sound to sleep.
~*~
Following the creek Sam told Frodo all about the Gaffer and the thing that the Gaffer had to say about any particular subject. Frodo laughed at the way Sam could imitate his father.
Frodo also told Sam about Bilbo and his quaint phrases. They both roared with laughter. Sam suddenly halted and held his arm up to stop Frodo. He hushed him and pointed towards the pond. There fishing was Lotho Sackville- Baggins.
"Maybe we should do something else. The fish will not be really biting until after sunset anyway," said Sam.
"Lotho can be a handful, but he won't bother us," commented Frodo.
"He'll not bother you, Mr. Frodo. But he will be trouble pretty quick as long as you are with me."
Lotho suddenly looked up and saw the two standing just before the clearing by a small group of trees.
"Well, he has seen us, so we might as well go fishing, Sam."
Sam shrugged his shoulders and followed Frodo as he walked directly towards Lotho to greet him.
"So when does a Baggins go fishing with the hired help?" asked Lotho as he glared at Sam.
"Now Lotho, Sam is my friend and I want you to treat him as that," Frodo told him.
"There is only one way to treat a Gamgee and that's to trottle him," said Lotho as he tried to push his way pass Frodo.
Frodo held on to Lotho, who pushed Frodo to the ground.
Sam made ready his knuckles as he clutched his hands into a fists. Then before Lotho could take another step, Sam smacked Lotho across the nose causing it to bleed.
Lotho's eyes watered as he held his hand up towards his nose. He glared at Sam with hatred.
"If you want another knuckle sandwich take another step," Sam said, as he stood ready.
Lotho backed away, "I wouldn't waste my time on a Gamgee nor should you Frodo." Lotho grabbed his fishing pole and snarled back at Sam. "This isn't over with, Gamgee. You hear me," threatened Lotho.
"Off with you now, before I change my thinking and trottle you again," Sam yelled back at him. They watched Lotho hasten his footsteps out of the clearing and back to Hobbiton.
"Sam pay no mind to what Lotho said. He is just full of himself," said Frodo. "Come we have the pond to ourselves."
"Oh, I am not worried about Lotho. Us Gamgees has had troubles with him before. I'd give a lot if he would just leave us alone. Maybe someday he will turn over a new leaf. Until then, I will have to keep a knuckle sandwich just for him," Sam laughed as he held up his fist to show Frodo.
Long into the afternoon they fished and talked with each other. However, outside of a nibble here and there, they did not catch one fish. Sam lay back on the banks and closed his eyes for a moment. While Frodo who was beginning to sweat from the heat of the summer sun that was beating down on them. He thought to take a swim in the pond. Something that he and his cousins would do at Buckland, swim in the Brandywine river.
Sam opened his eyes and looked about for Frodo. When his eyes caught Frodo sinking in the water in the pond. Sam screamed loudly, I'm coming, Mr. Frodo," as he ran headfirst into the water without thinking he could not swim. Sam sunk to the bottom of the pond as if he was a rock.