Властелин колец: Братство кольца

           Theinvitationswerelimitedtotwelvedozen(anumberalsocalledbythehobbitsoneGross,thoughthewordwasnotconsideredpropertouseofpeople);andtheguestswereselectedfromallthefamiliestowhichBilboandFrodowererelated,withtheadditionofafewspecialunrelatedfriends(suchasGandalf).Manyyounghobbitswereincluded,andpresentbyparentalpermission;forhobbitswereeasy-goingwiththeirchildreninthematterofsittinguplate,especiallywhentherewasachanceofgettingthemafreemeal.Bringingupyounghobbitstookalotofprovender.

           ThereweremanyBagginsesandBoffins,andalsomanyTooksandBrandybucks;therewerevariousGrubbs(relationsofBilboBaggins’grandmother),andvariousChubbs(connexionsofhisTookgrandfather);andaselectionofBurrowses,Bolgers,Bracegirdles,Brockhouses,Goodbodies,HornblowersandProudfoots.SomeofthesewereonlyverydistantlyconnectedwithBilbo,andsomeofthemhadhardlyeverbeeninHobbitonbefore,astheylivedinremotecornersoftheShire.TheSackville-Bagginseswerenotforgotten.OthoandhiswifeLobeliawerepresent.TheydislikedBilboanddetestedFrodo,butsomagnificentwastheinvitationcard,writteningoldenink,thattheyhadfeltitwasimpossibletorefuse.Besides,theircousin,Bilbo,hadbeenspecializinginfoodformanyyearsandhistablehadahighreputation.

           Alltheonehundredandforty-fourguestsexpectedapleasantfeast;thoughtheyratherdreadedtheafter-dinnerspeechoftheirhost(aninevitableitem).Hewasliabletodraginbitsofwhathecalledpoetry;andsometimes,afteraglassortwo,wouldalludetotheabsurdadventuresofhismysteriousjourney.Theguestswerenotdisappointed:theyhadaverypleasantfeast,infactanengrossingentertainment:rich,abundant,varied,andprolonged.