Властелин колец: Братство кольца
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
‘Well,MasterUnderhill,’saidStrider,‘ifIwereyou,Ishouldstopyouryoungfriendsfromtalkingtoomuch.Drink,fire,andchance-meetingarepleasantenough,but,well–thisisn’ttheShire.Therearequeerfolkabout.ThoughIsayitasshouldn’t,youmaythink,’headdedwithawrysmile,seeingFrodo’sglance.‘AndtherehavebeenevenstrangertravellersthroughBreelately,’hewenton,watchingFrodo’sface.
Frodoreturnedhisgazebutsaidnothing;andStridermadenofurthersign.HisattentionseemedsuddenlytobefixedonPippin.TohisalarmFrodobecameawarethattheridiculousyoungTook,encouragedbyhissuccesswiththefatMayorofMichelDelving,wasnowactuallygivingacomicaccountofBilbo’sfarewellparty.HewasalreadygivinganimitationoftheSpeech,andwasdrawingneartotheastonishingDisappearance.
Frodowasannoyed.Itwasaharmlessenoughtaleformostofthelocalhobbits,nodoubt:justafunnystoryaboutthosefunnypeopleawaybeyondtheRiver;butsome(oldButterbur,forinstance)knewathingortwo,andhadprobablyheardrumourslongagoaboutBilbo’svanishing.ItwouldbringthenameofBagginstotheirminds,especiallyiftherehadbeeninquiriesinBreeafterthatname.
Frodofidgeted,wonderingwhattodo.Pippinwasevidentlymuchenjoyingtheattentionhewasgetting,andhadbecomequiteforgetfuloftheirdanger.FrodohadasuddenfearthatinhispresentmoodhemightevenmentiontheRing;andthatmightwellbedisastrous.
