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The mothers discuss the bride . . .
Zimzi had spied her mother talking with a number of ladies clustered about her. Or rather, her mother seemed more like the center of a large flower, the petals of which were the Hobbit wives and mothers all dressed in their colorful party finery. Zimzi blushed as she drew near them, hearing the things that mothers say to the one whose daughter is to be wedded.
‘Isn’t she just the prettiest,’ one said as the others nodded. ‘Very nice, too, for one of the Big Folk,’ put in another. ‘And I can just see why,’ came the rejoinder. ‘Why look at her mother so pretty herself and so gracious!’ Handkerchiefs had come out as the ladies recalled a number of their own daughters’ handfastings, followed by sniffs and then decisive nods as they recalled how good a catch they’d got. ‘And that Mister Derufin,’ commented one of the ladies who came to do laundry at the Inn once a week, ‘he’s a right good ‘un, that one. An easy laugh he’s got and a willing hand to help when needed.’ ‘Yes,’ said another, who’d worked as a server in the Inn for a bit. ‘And he eats like a Hobbit . . . quite fond of Cook’s stew, he is. Ate three bowls once.’ Approving nods followed this recommendation. One of the old Gammers spoke up in her quavery voice as she leaned on her yew-wood walking stick. ‘Good hips, your daughter.’ Zimzi’s mother looked at the old Hobbit, unsure how to respond. ‘Didn’t mean to offend, Missus. Raise me a few sheep, I do. She’s got those generous sort of hips what’re good for grandbabies . . .’
‘Ahem . . .’ Zimzi cleared her throat, making her presence known, before her mother or any others could respond. ‘I think we’ll start in just a few moments, Mother.’ She blushed deeper as the little group looked at her appraisingly. ‘Well, I’ll just go . . . make sure Cook . . . knows, ‘ she babbled, turning away to flee from their knowing looks.
Had she looked back, she would have seen her mother smiling like a cat got into cream. ‘Grandbabies,’ she murmured in a delighted tone, nodding back at the ladies. ‘I must tell you I’ve had thoughts on that very subject . . .’
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