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homeward bound 1303
The travellers stayed in Bree all the next day, and Mr.
Butterbur could not complain of his business next evening at
any rate. Curiosity overcame all fears, and his house was
crowded. For a while out of politeness the hobbits visited the
Common Room in the evening and answered a good many
questions. Bree memories being retentive, Frodo was asked
many times if he had written his book.
‘Not yet,’ he answered. ‘I am going home now to put my
notes in order.’ He promised to deal with the amazing events
at Bree, and so give a bit of interest to a book that appeared
likely to treat mostly of the remote and less important affairs
‘away south’.
Then one of the younger folk called for a song. But at that
a hush fell, and he was frowned down, and the call was not
repeated. Evidently there was no wish for any uncanny events
in the Common Room again.
No trouble by day, nor any sound by night, disturbed the
peace of Bree while the travellers remained there; but the
next morning they got up early, for as the weather was still
rainy they wished to reach the Shire before night, and it was
a long ride. The Bree folk were all out to see them off, and
were in merrier mood than they had been for a year; and
those who had not seen the strangers in all their gear before
gaped with wonder at them: at Gandalf with his white beard,
and the light that seemed to gleam from him, as if his blue
mantle was only a cloud over sunshine; and at the four
hobbits like riders upon errantry out of almost forgotten tales.
Even those who had laughed at all the talk about the King
began to think there might be some truth in it.
‘Well, good luck on your road, and good luck to your
homecoming!’ said Mr. Butterbur. ‘I should have warned
you before that all’s not well in the Shire neither, if what
we hear is true. Funny goings on, they say. But one thing
drives out another, and I was full of my own troubles. But if
I may be so bold, you’ve come back changed from your
travels, and you look now like folk as can deal with troubles
out of hand. I don’t doubt you’ll soon set all to rights. Good