Хоббит
Queer Lodgings
Icannottellyoumuchmore,thoughthatoughttobeenough.Somesaythatheisabeardescendedfromthegreatandancientbearsofthemountainsthatlivedtherebeforethegiantscame.OtherssaythatheisamandescendedfromthefirstmenwholivedbeforeSmaugortheotherdragonscameintothispartoftheworld,andbeforethegoblinscameintothehillsoutoftheNorth.Icannotsay,thoughIfancythelastisthetruetale.Heisnotthesortofpersontoaskquestionsof.
"Atanyrateheisundernoenchantmentbuthisown.Helivesinanoak-woodandhasagreatwoodenhouse;andasamanhekeepscattleandhorseswhicharenearlyismarvellousashimself.Theyworkforhimandtalktohim.Hedoesnoteatthem;neitherdoeshehuntoreatwildanimals.Hekeepshivesandhivesofgreatfiercebees,andlivesmostoncreamandhoney.Asabearherangesfarandwide.IoncesawhimsittingallaloneonthetopoftheCarrockatnightwatchingthemoonsinkingtowardstheMistyMountains,andIheardhimgrowlinthetongueofbears;’ThedaywillcomewhentheywillperishandIshallgoback!’ThatiswhyIbelieveheoncecamefromthemountainshimself."
Bilboandthedwarveshadnowplentytothinkabout,andtheyaskednomorequestions.Theystillhadalongwaytowalkbeforethem.Upslopeanddowndaletheyplodded.Itgrewveryhot.Sometimestheyrestedunderthetrees,andthenBilbofeltsohungrythathewouldhaveeatenacorns,ifanyhadbeenripeenoughyettohavefallentotheground.Itwasthemiddleoftheafternoonbeforetheynoticedthatgreatpatchesofflowershadbeguntospringup,allthesamekindsgrowingtogetherasiftheyhadbeenplanted.Especiallytherewasclover,wavingpatchesofcockscombclover,andpurpleclover,andwidestretchesofshortwhitesweethoney-smellingclover.Therewasabuzzingandawhirringandadroningintheair.
