[doug*platypus]

Biffo had been standing near the back of the room, while the sea of hobbit voices swelled this way and that, and the chatter of the young ones rose to a flurry of birdlike noise, even when some of them thought they were whispering discretely amongst themselves. Kids thought Biffo, with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

The hobbit's ears perked up when one of the adults, Primrose, had mentioned her family's six ponies. Although this was not a huge number, Biffo didn't know of anyone apart from a well-to-do farming family who could boast such a small army of beasts. Handy, for sure. Primrose had a certain bossy air about her the way she had called the room to attention, but Biffo could not help but be impressed at the way everyone had quitened down to listen to her talk. At least someone isn't all in a tizzy, he thought, and smiled approvingly towards his Uncle Olo, who was also keeping quiet near the back of the room.

After a little while, the hobbit children had hustled and bustled their way out of the door, and the latecomer called Pearl (who Biffo thought he had recognised from somewhere) had also dashed off. The other four older hobbits were left there with Bilbo. Biffo's stomach gently chided him that luncheon had not yet been mentioned, and the hobbit made up his mind to head back to The Green Dragon for some viddles, if once tomorrow's plans had been made these were not on offer at Bag End. It was a fair hop back to Frogmorton, too, and Biffo thought he had best arrange a bed for the night.