Хоббит

           HehadbeenfeelingratherpleasedwiththeclevernessofhisconversationwithSmaug,buthismistakeattheendshookhimintobettersense.

           "Neverlaughatlivedragons,Bilboyoufool!"hesaidtohimself,anditbecameafavouritesayingofhislater,andpassedintoaproverb."Youaren’tnearlythroughthisadventureyet,"headded,andthatwasprettytrueaswell.

           Theafternoonwasturningintoeveningwhenhecameoutagainandstumbledandfellinafaintonthe’door-step.’Thedwarvesrevivedhim,anddoctoredhisscorchesaswellastheycould;butitwasalongtimebeforethehaironthebackofhisheadandhisheelsgrewproperlyagain:ithadallbeensingedandfrizzledrightdowntotheskin.Inthemeanwhilehisfriendsdidtheirbesttocheerhimup;andtheywereeagerforhisstory,especiallywantingtoknowwhythedragonhadmadesuchanawfulnoise,andhowBilbohadescaped.

           Butthehobbitwasworriedanduncomfortable,andtheyhaddifficultyingettinganythingoutofhim.Onthinkingthingsoverhewasnowregrettingsomeofthethingshehadsaidtothedragon,andwasnoteagertorepeatthem.Theoldthrushwassittingonarocknearbywithhisheadcockedononeside,listeningtoallthatwassaid.ItshowswhatanilltemperBilbowasin:hepickedupastoneandthrewitatthethrush,whichmerelyflutteredasideandcameback.

           "Dratthebird!"saidBilbocrossly."Ibelieveheislistening,andIdon’tlikethelookofhim."

           "Leavehimalone!"saidThorin.