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Falco took note that Eodwine had chosen a different table to sit at with Marenil and Randvér. This was a fine how do you do! He took out his pipe, lit it, and puffed his a spleen's worth of smoke rings, angry wisps thickening the air of the Hall.
"Why make you this smoke?" asked Lefun with a cough, the two hands taking turns wiping Lefun's, then Ritun's eyes. Falco watched their cooperation with mild amazement.
"How do you decide who gets his eyes wiped first?"
"I first go," said Lefun, "as in front I be. Long ago we chose it."
"Ah."
"Why make smoke?"
"I like it."
Lefun made a face that looked like he'd tasted something bitter in his porridge. "How?"
"I know not and care not. It grows on you."
Ritun looked surprised, and watched with renewed interest.
"Too big it be for you now!" cried Lefun.
What? Then Falco laughed. "No! Not getting bigger! When I tried it as a teener I didn't like it much at all, but all the other hobbit lads swore by it, so I kept at it. Now I like it plenty."
"Tree bark I would eat before making such smoke!" Lefun said. Ritun whispered in his ear. "We need work to pay the lord."
"Let's wait until he's finished with those two. Let's you two and me go out and walk about for now."
Falco got up and the twins reluctantly followed him out of the Hall.
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