“Lad,” began Hamfast Gamgee tentatively, “you’ve been spendin’ a lot of time with the young Master….”
Sam smiled up at his father. “Oh, yes, Dad—him’s a right special one, he is! There’s no one quite like Master Frodo—not nowhere!”
The Gaffer’s heart twisted at the words. Oh, my dear ninnyhammer of a son, he thought, but it don’t do t’tie your heart to the likes of Master Frodo, for he’s of a different world. He’ll be out there, a-dancin’ neath the light of stars, candles, and torches; but you’ll be left here, a-grubbin’ in the dirt!