Властелин колец: Братство кольца
A Long-expected Party
Withperfecttruth:forBilbowasverypolitetohim,callinghim’MasterHamfast’,andconsultinghimconstantlyuponthegrowingofvegetables—inthematterof’roots’,especiallypotatoes,theGafferwasrecognizedastheleadingauthoritybyallintheneighbourhood(includinghimself).
’ButwhataboutthisFrodothatliveswithhim?’askedOldNoakesofBywater.’Bagginsishisname,buthe’smorethanhalfaBrandybuck,theysay.ItbeatsmewhyanyBagginsofHobbitonshouldgolookingforawifeawaythereinBuckland,wherefolksaresoqueer.’
’Andnowonderthey’requeer,’putinDaddyTwofoot(theGaffer’snext-doorneighbour),’iftheyliveonthewrongsideoftheBrandywineRiver,andrightagintheOldForest.That’sadarkbadplace,ifhalfthetalesbetrue.’
’You’reright,Dad!’saidtheGaffer.’NotthattheBrandybucksofBuck-landliveintheOldForest;butthey’reaqueerbreed,seemingly.Theyfoolaboutwithboatsonthatbigriver—andthatisn’tnatural.Smallwonderthattroublecameofit,Isay.Butbethatasitmay,Mr.Frodoisasniceayounghobbitasyoucouldwishtomeet.VerymuchlikeMr.Bilbo,andinmorethanlooks.AfterallhisfatherwasaBaggins.AdecentrespectablehobbitwasMr.DrogoBaggins;therewasnevermuchtotellofhim,tillhewasdrownded.’
’Drownded?’saidseveralvoices.Theyhadheardthisandotherdarkerrumoursbefore,ofcourse;buthobbitshaveapassionforfamilyhistory,andtheywerereadytohearitagain.’Well,sotheysay,’saidtheGaffer.’Yousee:Mr.Drogo,hemarriedpoorMissPrimulaBrandybuck.ShewasourMr.Bilbo’sfirstcousinonthemother’sside(hermotherbeingtheyoungestoftheOldTook’sdaughters);andMr.Drogowashissecondcousin.
