Rory and Esmie rose and began to help Gilda away from the table and down the hall to the kitchens, to deliver her to Maddie’s competent hands. Frodo jumped up and quickly stacked all the dirty dishes near him, deftly avoiding Sara’s attempt to accidentally knock them over as the older hobbit pushed away from the table and turned to leave. Frodo and Bilbo arrived at the sideboard at the same time to deposit their plates. When Bilbo turned around, Sara was almost out the door, but had turned to stare at the two of them with his usual filthy leer. Bilbo felt Frodo wrap his arms around his uncle’s waist, and rest his head on Bilbo’s shoulder. Looking down, he watched the boy smile sweetly at Sara, then bat his eyes. Sara wheeled around and stomped off in disgust. Frodo turned his face up to Bilbo and repeated the performance. Bilbo let out a roar of laughter, and swatted the impertinent imp on rear.