Хоббит
The Last Stage
BardhadgivenhimmuchgoldforthehelpoftheLake-people,butbeingofthekindthateasilycatchessuchdiseasehefellunderthedragon-sickness,andtookmostofthegoldandfledwithit,anddiedofstarvationintheWaste,desertedbyhiscompanions."ThenewMasterisofwiserkind,"saidBalin,"andverypopular,for,ofcourse,hegetsmostofthecreditforthepresentprosperity.Theyaremakingsongswhichsaythatinhisdaytheriversrunwithgold.""Thenthepropheciesoftheoldsongshaveturnedouttobetrue,afterafashion!"saidBilbo.
"Ofcourse!"saidGandalf."Andwhyshouldnottheyprovetrue?Surelyyoudon’tdisbelievetheprophecies,becauseyouhadahandinbringingthemaboutyourself?Youdon’treallysuppose,doyou,thatallyouradventuresandescapesweremanagedbymereluck,justforyoursolebenefit?Youareaveryfineperson,Mr.Baggins,andIamveryfondofyou;butyouareonlyquitealittlefellowinawideworldafterall!"
"Thankgoodness!"saidBilbolaughing,andhandedhimthetobacco-jar.