Хоббит

           Thewizardandthehobbitpushedopentheheavycreakinggateandwentdownawidetracktowardsthehouse.Somehorses,verysleekandwell-groomed,trottedupacrossthegrassandlookedatthemintentlywithveryintelligentfaces;thenofftheygallopedtothebuildings.

           "Theyhavegonetotellhimofthearrivalofstrangers,"saidGandalf.Soontheyreachedacourtyard,threewallsofwhichwereformedbythewoodenhouseanditstwolongwings.Inthemiddletherewaslyingagreatoak-trunkwithmanyloppedbranchesbesideit.Standingnearwasahugemanwithathickblackbeardand’hair,andgreatbarearmsandlegswithknottedmuscles.Hewasclothedinatunicofwooldowntohisknees,andwasleaningonalargeaxe.

           Thehorseswerestandingbyhimwiththeirnosesathisshoulder.

           "Ugh!heretheyare!"hesaidtothehorses."Theydon’tlookdangerous.Youcanbeoff!"Helaughedagreatrollinglaugh,putdownhisaxeandcameforward.

           "Whoareyouandwhatdoyouwant?"heaskedgruffly,standinginfrontofthemandtoweringtallaboveGandalf.

           AsforBilbohecouldeasilyhavetrottedthroughhislegswithoutduckinghisheadtomissthefringeoftheman’sbrowntunic."IamGandalf,"saidthewizard.

           "Neverheardofhim,"growledtheman,"Andwhat’sthislittlefellow?"hesaid,stoopingdowntofrownatthehobbitwithhisbushyeyebrows."ThatisMr.Baggins,ahobbitofgoodfamilyandunimpeachablereputation,"saidGandalf.Bilbobowed.Hehadnohattotakeoff,andwaspainfullyconsciousofhismanymissingbuttons.