And Back Again

“You a’right there, Master Baggins?” Hamfast Gamgee called out, appearing out his own front door. The easygoing gardener looked mighty concerned for him – and what a sight he must make, sitting on his garden path in the wee morning hours, still clad in his nightclothes.“My head’s in a bit of a tizzy, I’m afraid!” Bilbo manages to call back, his voice a little thin and wavery. He picks himself up, and frowns at his front door. The bright yellow paint is cheery enough – but he thinks it would look better painted green.“Happens to the best of us, Master Baggins! Don’t you fret.” Hamfast laughs merrily. “A good proper breakfast should set you to rights!”“Yes, yes!” Bilbo nods agreeably, and scurries back into his house. The door shuts heavily, and he leans back against it. He stares at his mother’s glory box for a minute – pristine and free of scuff marks, and looks at an empty spot on the wall where he was sure a map had hung, shakes his head, and goes back to fixing his tea and breakfast.Hamfast was right, he’d be well to himself soon enough.