Хоббит
On the Doorstep
Whatisourburglardoingforus?
Sincehehasgotaninvisiblering,andoughttobeaspeciallyexcellentperformernow,IambeginningtothinkhemightgothroughtheFrontGateandspythingsoutabit!"
Bilboheardthis-thedwarveswereontherocksjust:abovetheenclosurewherehewassitting-and"GoodGracious!"hethought,"sothatiswhattheyarebeginningtothink,isit?Itisalwayspoormethathastogetthemout:oftheirdifficulties,atleastsincethewizardleft.WhateveramIgoingtodo?Imighthaveknownthatsomethingdreadfulwouldhappentomeintheend.Idon’tthinkIcouldbeartoseetheunhappyvalleyofDaleagain,andasforthatsteaminggate!!"
Thatnighthewasverymiserableandhardlyslept.Nextdaythedwarvesallwentwanderingoffinvariousdirections;somewereexercisingtheponiesdownbelow,somewererovingaboutthemountain-side.AlldayBilbosatgloomilyinthegrassybaygazingatthestone,oroutwestthroughthenarrowopening.Hehadaqueerfeelingthathewaswaitingforsomething."Perhapsthewizardwillsuddenlycomebacktoday,"hethought.Ifheliftedhisheadhecouldseeaglimpseofthedistantforest.Asthesunturnedwesttherewasagleamofyellowuponitsfarroof,asifthelightcaughtthelastpaleleaves.Soonhesawtheorangeballofthesunsinkingtowardsthelevelofhiseyes.HewenttotheopeningandtherepaleandfaintwasathinnewmoonabovetherimofEarth.Atthatverymomentheheardasharpcrackbehindhim.
