XI.  Cue:  Contrasts in humor

Miscalculation

            “Look at these!” Pippin exclaimed.

            “Wigs!” said Merry, holding one up.  “And this one looks just like....”

 *

            That evening the younger Hobbits fetched away meals for themselves.  When the company entered the Hall of Fire, it was to find what appeared to be a very small Elrond seated in his chair.  “Mithrandito!” he bellowed.

            An equally small wizard appeared and delivered into Gandalf’s hands a particularly large pipe.  Somehow no one seemed surprised when it exploded with a flash and a cloud of smoke.

 *

            “No sense of humor,” sighed Pippin as they scrubbed the floor with nailbrushes.  Their guard snickered.