Властелин колец: Братство кольца
A Long-expected Party
SoMr.Frodoishisfirstandsecondcousin,onceremovedeitherway,asthesayingis,ifyoufollowme.AndMr.DrogowasstayingatBrandyHallwithhisfather-in-law,oldMasterGorbadoc,asheoftendidafterhismarriage(himbeingpartialtohisvittles,andoldGorbadockeepingamightygeneroustable);andhewentoutboatingontheBrandywineRiver;andheandhiswifeweredrownded,andpoorMr.Frodoonlyachildandall.’
’I’veheardtheywentonthewaterafterdinnerinthemoonlight,’saidOldNoakes;’anditwasDrogo’sweightassunktheboat.’
’AndIheardshepushedhimin,andhepulledherinafterhim,’saidSandyman,theHobbitonmiller.
’Youshouldn’tlistentoallyouhear,Sandyman,’saidtheGaffer,whodidnotmuchlikethemiller.’Thereisn’tnocalltogotalkingofpushingandpulling.Boatsarequitetrickyenoughforthosethatsitstillwithoutlookingfurtherforthecauseoftrouble.Anyway:therewasthisMr.Frodoleftanorphanandstranded,asyoumightsay,amongthosequeerBucklanders,beingbroughtupanyhowinBrandyHall.Aregularwarren,byallaccounts.OldMasterGorbadocneverhadfewerthanacoupleofhundredrelationsintheplace.Mr.Bilboneverdidakinderdeedthanwhenhebroughttheladbacktoliveamongdecentfolk.
’ButIreckonitwasanastyshockforthoseSackville-Bagginses.TheythoughttheyweregoingtogetBagEnd,thattimewhenhewentoffandwasthoughttobedead.Andthenhecomesbackandordersthemoff;andhegoesonlivingandliving,andneverlookingadayolder,blesshim!Andsuddenlyheproducesanheir,andhasallthepapersmadeoutproper.TheSackville-Bagginseswon’tneverseetheinsideofBagEndnow,oritistobehopednot.’
