[Firefoot]

Willy realized in horror how late it had gotten. Why, it was nearly his bedtime (if not past it), and his Ma had no idea where he or Nick was. After a day like today, he would not be surprised if he were not permitted to leave the farm for a good many days! He had become caught up in the festivities, enjoying the excitement, being delighted many times over by Shimshin's antics, and even scoffing at the way the older hobbit lads and lasses went about, as if dancing was the most important part of the party. Now, it was time to be getting home, and right quick.

"Nick," he said, "we had better say good-bye to Mr. Seamus and give Shimshin back... it's getting late, and I bet we're already in for a scolding." Nick nodded with a trace of reluctance, but he was becoming too tired to argue much. Willy led the way through the crowd, approaching the band. Willy waited impatiently for the end of the song before boldly stepping up to Seamus, an attitude so different from the one with which he had queried about Shimshin in the morning. It was not to say that this confidence extended to his opinions of all the Big Folk; indeed, he was not very comfortable around most of them at all, including Seamus' friend Owen who the brothers had met earlier, at least to an extent. Nick followed only a half-step behind, his shy liking for the man readily apparent. Shimshin, who had been sitting sedately on Nick's shoulder, bounded down and scurried up onto Seamus' shoulder.

"Mr. Seamus? It's getting late, and me and Nick have to be going home now. We brought Shimshin back for you," said Willy. Honestly, he was not ready to leave, but he feared the consequences of staying even later.

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Seamus. "Thanks for watching Shimshin for us. It was good to know he wasn't getting into any mischief today while we were playing."

"No problem," answered Willy. "It was fun."

Seamus smiled. "I'm glad. And here," he said, fishing in his pocket, "is the payment I promised you earlier." He handed each of them a copper half-penny. Wily's eyes were wide. He rarely had any money of his own to spend.

"Thank you, Mr. Seamus," said Willy automatically. Nick echoed, though the money seemed to have less hold on his mind. He would have rather spent more time with his friend Shimshin, but he listened as always to Willy.

"You're welcome," he said. "You boys did a good job with him." Nick beamed.

"Well," said Willy, feeling rushed to get home. "Good night."

"Good night," said Seamus. Willy began to walk off with a wave, but Nick lingered for a moment. He reached up to scratch Shimshin's shiny fur one more time. "G'night Shimshin," he said. Then to Seamus, "Shimshin is my friend." Being less confident without Willy's presence, he hurried away after Willy without waiting for a reply.

As Willy was leaving, it occurred to him that he had never seen Shimshin discard the fake whistle as he had expected. He shrugged to himself - he had no use for it, and he couldn't go back to get it now anyway. It had been an interesting day, no doubt, and he was not eager to end it. All the same, as soon as Nick had caught up and he was more or less out of sight of the Inn, he took off sprinting for home, already planning on his story to cover up for the long day at the Inn... if Nick didn't blow it. Then there really would be a price to pay.