Хоббит

           Goodnessknowswhatthestrikingofmatchesandthesmelloftobaccowouldhavebroughtonhimoutofdarkholesinthathorribleplace.Stillatthemomenthefeltverycrushed.Butinslappingallhispocketsandfeelingallroundhimselfformatcheshishandcameonthehiltofhislittlesword-thelittledaggerthathegotfromthetrolls,andthathehadquiteforgotten;nordothegoblinsseemtohavenoticedit,asheworeitinsidehisbreeches.

           Nowhedrewitout.Itshonepaleanddimbeforehiseyes."Soitisanelvishblade,too,"hethought;"andgoblinsarenotverynear,andyetnotfarenough."

           Butsomehowhewascomforted.ItwasrathersplendidtobewearingablademadeinGondolinforthegoblin-warsofwhichsomanysongshadsung;andalsohehadnoticedthatsuchweaponsmadeagreatimpressionongoblinsthatcameuponthemsuddenly.

           "Goback?"hethought."Nogoodatall!Gosideways?Impossible!Goforward?Onlythingtodo!Onwego!"Souphegot,andtrottedalongwithhislittleswordheldinfrontofhimandonehandfeelingthewall,andhisheartallofapatterandapitter.

           NowcertainlyBilbowasinwhatiscalledatightplace.Butyoumustrememberitwasnotquitesotightforhimasitwouldhavebeenformeorforyou.Hobbitsarenotquitelikeordinarypeople;andafteralliftheirholesarenicecheeryplacesandproperlyaired,quitedifferentfromthetunnelsofthegoblins,stilltheyaremoreusedtotunnellingthanweare,andtheydonoteasilylosetheirsenseofdirectionunderground-notwhentheirheadshaverecoveredfrombeingbumped.Alsotheycanmoveveryquietly,andhideeasily,andrecoverwonderfullyfromfallsandbruises,andtheyhaveafundofwisdomandwisesayingsthatmenhavemostlyneverheardorhaveforgottenlongago.