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the scouring of the shire 1331
A laugh put an end to them. There was a surly hobbit
lounging over the low wall of the mill-yard. He was grimyfaced
and black-handed. ‘Don’t ’ee like it, Sam?’ he sneered.
‘But you always was soft. I thought you’d gone off in one o’
them ships you used to prattle about, sailing, sailing. What
d’you want to come back for? We’ve work to do in the Shire
now.’
‘So I see,’ said Sam. ‘No time for washing, but time for
wall-propping. But see here, Master Sandyman, I’ve a score
to pay in this village, and don’t you make it any longer with
your jeering, or you’ll foot a bill too big for your purse.’
Ted Sandyman spat over the wall. ‘Garn!’ he said. ‘You
can’t touch me. I’m a friend o’ the Boss’s. But he’ll touch
you all right, if I have any more of your mouth.’
‘Don’t waste any more words on the fool, Sam!’ said Frodo.
‘I hope there are not many more hobbits that have become
like this. It would be a worse trouble than all the damage the
Men have done.’
‘You are dirty and insolent, Sandyman,’ said Merry. ‘And
also very much out of your reckoning. We are just going up
the Hill to remove your precious Boss. We have dealt with
his Men.’
Ted gaped, for at that moment he first caught sight of the
escort that at a sign from Merry now marched over the
bridge. Dashing back into the mill he ran out with a horn and
blew it loudly.
‘Save your breath!’ laughed Merry. ‘I’ve a better.’ Then
lifting up his silver horn he winded it, and its clear call rang
over the Hill; and out of the holes and sheds and shabby
houses of Hobbiton the hobbits answered, and came pouring
out, and with cheers and loud cries they followed the company
up the road to Bag End.
At the top of the lane the party halted, and Frodo and his
friends went on; and they came at last to the once beloved
place. The garden was full of huts and sheds, some so near
the old westward windows that they cut off all their light.
There were piles of refuse everywhere. The door was scarred;