“We call this a pinch pot,” Pippin’s great aunt explained as she demonstrated pinching the sides between her fingertips to shape them. “It’s the first method most children learn when making pottery.”
Carefully Pippin sought to follow her example, until he’d managed at last to produce a passable jar and lid, constantly working to make the lid fit the rim.
“And you made this for me?” asked Ferumbras as he unwrapped it at Yule. “How nice, handmade.” He pinched the lad’s cheek.
Sensing the falseness to the praise, Pippin was glad he’d not given the hideous thing to his grandfather.