Властелин колец: Братство кольца
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
WhileStriderwasgone,FrodogaveMerryarapidaccountofallthathadhappenedsincesupper.MerrywasstillreadingandponderingGandalf’sletterwhenStriderandNobreturned.
‘WellMasters,’saidNob,‘I’veruffleduptheclothesandputinabolsterdownthemiddleofeachbed.AndImadeaniceimitationofyourheadwithabrownwoollenmat,Mr.Bag–Underhill,sir,’headdedwithagrin.
Pippinlaughed.‘Verylife-like!’hesaid.‘Butwhatwillhappenwhentheyhavepenetratedthedisguise?’
‘Weshallsee,’saidStrider.‘Letushopetoholdtheforttillmorning.’
‘Goodnighttoyou,’saidNob,andwentofftotakehispartinthewatchonthedoors.
Theirbagsandgeartheypiledontheparlour-floor.Theypushedalowchairagainstthedoorandshutthewindow.Peeringout,Frodosawthatthenightwasstillclear.TheSickle*wasswingingbrightabovetheshouldersofBree-hill.Hethenclosedandbarredtheheavyinsideshuttersanddrewthecurtainstogether.Striderbuiltupthefireandblewoutallthecandles.
Thehobbitslaydownontheirblanketswiththeirfeettowardsthehearth;butStridersettledhimselfinthechairagainstthedoor.Theytalkedforalittle,forMerrystillhadseveralquestionstoask.
‘JumpedovertheMoon!’chuckledMerryasherolledhimselfinhisblanket.‘Veryridiculousofyou,Frodo!ButIwish
Ihadbeentheretosee.TheworthiesofBreewillbediscussingitahundredyearshence.’
‘Ihopeso,’saidStrider
