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Jinniver was somewhat taken aback at Snaveling’s offer to pay for the pipeweed she had offered. She wondered where his home might have been as this was not usual behaviour to her. It was custom in Bree to be generous with pipeweed in company, and she had seen it also in the Shire folk. It caused no great expense, as someone else would share their own supplies sooner or later. It was simply a polite gesture, something to be done in company. But the man seemed determined and he made great show of opening a pouch to reveal a small fortune in gold and silver coins. Jinniver tried not to look startled to see the money but as a trader she could not help but notice it; she was well aware of the exact amount she had on her own person, and of how much she had spent during the evening as no amount of ale could temper that keen sense.
She remembered an old saying about fools and their money and decided to see what he would do if she asked for a sum a little over the odds. If he was trying to make show of his wealth then he would not turn her down as he would not want to lose face. She knew that it was said that those who came from long lines of noble houses were much more cautious with their money - this was how they had managed to keep it through so many generations.
He gave Jinniver the sum she asked for without question and she realised that here was a man who had not long come to his position in life. ‘Perhaps this explains the company he keeps’, she thought to herself. Reeling a little at the sudden small windfall, she began to think of what she was going to do with all the money she had made once she went back to Bree. Of course, most would go to help her father; she could take on another person to do his work, and he could have his well earned retirement. But at this rate she was going to be able to afford more than that. Her eyes drifted over to Snaveling, who had caught the attention of Aman once more, and she looked at the fine clothes he wore. ‘Maybe one day soon I really will be able to afford that soft cloak that I dream of ’. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to feel content.
Her eyes were opened again when a chair scraped and Derufin got up to leave. It was getting late, and she realised she ought to be going to bed soon, as tomorrow she had the flowerbeds to weed and hoe. And besides, what was the point in dreaming about fancy cloaks; she was going to put her money to work by using it to make more money, that was her plan. Hard work had been the saving of her since…no, she did not care to think about that either. She shook her head to jolt herself out of the thoughts that had almost begun to trouble her again. Noticing she had at least half a tankard of good ale left, she reached over and cradled it, sipping gently. Stifling a yawn with her hand, she resolved to go to bed when she had finished her ale.
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