Pippin was a fretful baby, and didn’t thrive. His appetite was poor and he tended to point to things he wanted, seldom speaking save the word ”No!”

When the Brandybucks arrived for Pimmie’s birthday Merry couldn’t wait to see his Pippin and hurried to the nursery via the kitchen, where he liberated two gingerbreadlads. Pippin, just waking from a nap when Merry burst in, fairly beamed in delight.

“My Mer!” he crowed, and was soon cuddled in his cousin’s arms.

“My Pip! Look what we’ve got!” Pippin took a big bite, grinned, and said, “One for Pip, one for Mer!”