Хоббит
On the Doorstep
Thereonthegreystoneinthegrasswasanenormousthrush,nearlycoalblack,itspaleyellowbreastfreckleddarkspots.Crack!Ithadcaughtasnailandwasknockingitonthestone.Crack!Crack!
SuddenlyBilbounderstood.Forgettingalldangerhestoodontheledgeandhailedthedwarves,shoutingandpaying.Thosethatwerenearestcametumblingovertherocksandasfastastheycouldalongtheledgetohim,wonderingwhatonearthwasthematter;theothersshoutedtobehauleduptheropes(exceptBombur,ofcourse:hewasasleep).
QuicklyBilboexplained.Theyallfellsilent:thehobbitstandingbythegreystone,andthedwarveswithwaggingbeardswatchingimpatiently.Thesunsanklowerandlower,andtheirhopesfell.Itsankintoabeltofreddenedcloudanddisappeared.Thedwarvesgroaned,butstillBilbostoodalmostwithoutmoving.Thelittlemoonwasdippingtothehorizon.Eveningwascomingon.Thensuddenlywhentheirhopewaslowestaredrayofthesunescapedlikeafingerthrougharentinthecloud.Agleamoflightcamestraightthroughtheopeningintothebayandfellonthesmoothrock-face.Theoldthrush,whohadbeenwatchingfromahighperchwithbeadyeyesandheadcockedononeside,gaveasuddentrill.Therewasaloudattack.Aflakeofrocksplitfromthewallandfell.Aholeappearedsuddenlyaboutthreefeetfromtheground.Quickly,tremblinglestthechanceshouldfade,thedwarvesrushedtotherockandpushed-invain.
"Thekey!Thekey!"criedBilbo."WhereisThorin?"
Thorinhurriedup.
"Thekey!"shoutedBilbo
