Хоббит

           Hehadonlyjusthadbreakfast,buthethoughtacakeortwoandadrinkofsomethingwoulddohimgoodafterhisfright. Gandalfinthemeantimewasstillstandingoutsidethedoor, andlaughinglongbutquietly. Afterawhilehesteppedup,andwiththespikeofhisstaffscratchedaqueersignonthehobbit’sbeautifulgreenfront-door. Thenhestrodeaway,justaboutthetimewhenBilbowasfinishinghissecondcake andbeginningtothinkthathehadescapeadventuresverywell. 

           ThenextdayhehadalmostforgottenaboutGandalf. Hedidnotrememberthingsverywell, unlessheputthemdownonhisEngagementTablet:likethis: 

           Gandalf’aWednesday. Yesterdayhehadbeentooflusteredtodoanythingofthekind. Justbeforetea-time therecameatremendousringonthefront-doorbell, andthenheremembered! Herushedandputonthekettle,andputoutanothercupandsaucerandanextracakeortwo, andrantothedoor. "Iamsosorrytokeepyouwaiting!"hewasgoingtosay, whenhesawthatitwasnotGandalfatall. Itwasadwarfwithabluebeardtuckedintoagoldenbelt, andverybrighteyesunderhisdark-greenhood. Assoonathedoorwasopened,hepushedinside, justasifhehadbeenexpected. Hehunghishoodedcloakonthenearestpeg, and"Dwalinatyourservice!"hesaidwithalowbow. 

           "BilboBagginsatyours!"saidthehobbit, toosurprisedtoaskanyquestionsforthemoment. Whenthesilencethatfollowedhadbecomeuncomfortable,headded: "Iamjustabouttotaketea;praycomeandhavesomewithme."