It took five long years and the near-destruction of Bag End before the Grubb Girls had a startling realization. That night the blazing fire blew out the kitchen windows in a frightening explosion of glass and they both cursed and redoubled their efforts in the bucket brigade. They hauled and pitched water, shivering in their nightgowns, their faces black with soot and grime, until midnight saw them, the Gardners and their neighbors on the Hill victorious over the smoking ruins that was once the Bag End kitchen and its adjoining dining room. The long trestle table that had accomodated three adults, fourteen children and two suspicious orphans was nothing but a lengthy, smoking ash pile and the Grubbs looked down on it in insulted horror. Lovely, lovely Bag End had almost been destroyed.

Then the shouting began. "I did it!" Master Frodo began. "I did it. I left a candle burning in the kitchen when I ate the last of the fried chicken! I forgot to blow it out."

"It wasn't you, it was me!" Elanor denied. "I blew your candle out on my way to bed. It probably didn't go out completely and I didn't stop to check!"

"No, it was me! I forgot to bank the coals in the oven!" Goldilocks exclaimed.

"I banked them." the Mistress Rose shook her head. "I must have done a poor job. It's my fault."

"No, it's my fault." Frodo-lad proclaimed.

"How could it be your fault?" Primmy asked. "You and Merry were at the Green Dragon!"

"I don't want to be left out of the fun." Frodo-lad grinned down at her and she smacked him on the leg. "Ow."

Merry-lad wandered over to Hope and the black soot emphasized the deep smile-lines in his young face. "By the way, it was lovely to come home and see you in your nightgown, backlit by the flames. You make my life worth living. Just so you know." He hiccupped and wandered away again.

"You ate the last of the fried chicken?" the Mayor asked Master Frodo and his arms were folded.

Del and Hope exchanged a long, incredulous glance. Other families would be shrieking in horror at the near-disaster. Other families wouldn't find any humor in the situation at all. Other families would be pointing fingers at each other in a desperate bid for a scapegoat to punish.

But these were the Gardners. And finally, after five long, cautious years, the Grubbs allowed themselves the luxury of admiring this odd family wholeheartedly. "It was the stove-pipe." Hope announced with such utter finality that everyone turned to stare at her. "The join connecting it to the back of the stove is worn, remember? A stray spark must have escaped. It's no one's fault." She felt a warm weight against her leg. Robin, the youngest Gardner, was leaning against her and rubbing his eyes. It had been a nasty blow to him, the day he realized that Big Hope and Delly-Del weren't actually his sisters. Without another word, Hope scooped him up and took him to his bed. Del followed. He was asleep before he touched the pillows. They watched him for a moment as they listened to the Mayor herd all the others towards the washroom and bed while the Mistress Rose thanked the New Row neighbors for their help.

Hope finally said the fatal words. "Del, I think we're...lucky to be here."

"I think you're right." Del quietly replied and only Hope could appreciate what an astounding admission that was from the girl who had made distrust into an art form.

Hope kissed Robin on the forehead and Del kissed him on the cheek and then both girls went back to bed.

~

Pretty Good Year