Властелин колец: Братство кольца
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
Onthegroundfloorastheyusuallyprefer;roundwindowsandallastheylikeit.Ihopeyou’llbecomfortable.You’llbewantingsupper,Idon’tdoubt.Assoonasmaybe.Thiswaynow!’
Heledthemashortwaydownapassage,andopenedadoor.‘Hereisanicelittleparlour!’hesaid.‘Ihopeitwillsuit.Excusemenow.I’mthatbusy.Notimefortalking.Imustbetrotting.It’shardworkfortwolegs,butIdon’tgetthinner.I’lllookinagainlater.Ifyouwantanything,ringthehand-bell,andNobwillcome.Ifhedon’tcome,ringandshout!’
Offhewentatlast,andleftthemfeelingratherbreathless.Heseemedcapableofanendlessstreamoftalk,howeverbusyhemightbe.Theyfoundthemselvesinasmallandcosyroom.Therewasabitofbrightfireburningonthehearth,andinfrontofitweresomelowandcomfortablechairs.Therewasaroundtable,alreadyspreadwithawhitecloth,andonitwasalargehand-bell.ButNob,thehobbitservant,camebustlinginlongbeforetheythoughtofringing.Hebroughtcandlesandatrayfullofplates.
‘Willyoubewantinganythingtodrink,masters?’heasked.‘AndshallIshowyouthebedrooms,whileyoursupperisgotready?’
TheywerewashedandinthemiddleofgooddeepmugsofbeerwhenMr.ButterburandNobcameinagain.Inatwinklingthetablewaslaid.
