the fellowship of the ring-第35章

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st　sight　of　Men　and　theirtall　houses　quite　enough；　indeed　too　much　for　the　dark　end　of　a　tiring　day。　Hepictured　black　horses　standing　all　saddled　in　the　shadows　of　the　inn…yard；　andBlack　Riders　peering　out　of　dark　upper　windows。　
'We　surely　aren't　going　to　stay　here　for　the　night；　are　we；　sir？'　heexclaimed。　'If　there　are　hobbit…folk　in　these　pans；　why　don't　we　look　for　somethat　would　be　willing　to　take　us　in？　It　would　be　more　homelike。'　
'What's　wrong　with　the　inn？'　said　Frodo。　'Tom　Bombadil　remended　it。　Iexpect　it's　homelike　enough　inside。'　
Even　from　the　outside　the　inn　looked　a　pleasant　house　to　familiar　eyes。　
It　had　a　front　on　the　Road；　and　two　wings　running　back　on　land　partly　cut　outof　the　lower　slopes　of　the　hill；　so　that　at　the　rear　the　second…floor　windowswere　level　with　the　ground。　There　was　a　wide　arch　leading　to　a　courtyardbetween　the　two　wings；　and　on　the　left　under　the　arch　there　was　a　largedoorway　reached　by　a　few　broad　steps。　The　door　was　open　and　light　streamed　outof　it。　Above　the　arch　there　was　a　lamp；　and　beneath　it　swung　a　largesignboard：　a　fat　white　pony　reared　up　on　its　hind　legs。　Over　the　door　waspainted　in　white　letters：　THE　PRANCING　PONY　by　BARLIMAN　BUTTERBUR。　Many　of　thelower　windows　showed　lights　behind　thick　curtains。　
As　they　hesitated　outside　in　the　gloom；　someone　began　singing　a　merrysong　inside；　and　many　cheerful　voices　joined　loudly　in　the　chorus。　Theylistened　to　this　encouraging　sound　for　a　moment　and　then　got　off　their　ponies。　
The　song　ended　and　there　was　a　burst　of　laughter　and　clapping。　
They　led　their　ponies　under　the　arch；　and　leaving　them　standing　in　theyard　they　climbed　up　the　steps。　Frodo　went　forward　and　nearly　bumped　into　ashort　fat　man　with　a　bald　head　and　a　red　face。　He　had　a　white　apron　on；　andwas　bustling　out　of　one　door　and　in　through　another；　carrying　a　tray　ladenwith　full　mugs。　
'Can　we…'　began　Frodo。　　
　
'Half　a　minute；　if　you　please！'　shouted　the　man　over　his　shoulder；　andvanished　into　a　babel　of　voices　and　a　cloud　of　smoke。　In　a　moment　he　was　out　　
again；　wiping　his　hands　on　his　apron。　
'Good　evening；　little　master！'　he　said；　bending　down。　'What　may　you　bewanting？'　
'Beds　for　four；　and　stabling　for　five　ponies；　if　that　can　be　managed。　Areyou　Mr。　Butterbur？'　
'That's　right！　Barliman　is　my　name。　Barliman　Butterbur　at　your　service！　
You're　from　the　Shire；　eh？'　he　said；　and　then　suddenly　he　clapped　his　hand　tohis　forehead；　as　if　trying　to　remember　something。　'Hobbits！'　he　cried。　'Nowwhat　does　that　remind　me　of？　Might　I　ask　your　names；　sir？'　
'Mr。　Took　and　Mr。　Brandybuck；'　said　Frodo；　'and　this　is　Sam　Gamgee。　Myname　is　Underhill。'　　
'There　now！'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　snapping　his　fingers。　'It's　gone　again！　
But　it'll　e　back；　when　I　have　time　to　think。　I'm　run　off　my　feet；　but　I'llsee　what　I　can　do　for　you。　We　don't　often　get　a　party　out　of　the　Shirenowadays；　and　I　should　be　sorry　not　to　make　you　wele。　But　there　is　such　acrowd　already　in　the　house　tonight　as　there　hasn't　been　for　long　enough。　Itnever　rains　but　it　pours；　we　say　in　Bree。　
Nob！'　
'Hi！　Nob！'　he　shouted。　'Where　are　you；　you　woolly…footed　slow…coach？　　
'ing；　sir！　ing！'　A　cheery…looking　hobbit　bobbed　out　of　a　door；　andseeing　the　travellers；　stopped　short　and　stared　at　them　with　great　interest。　
'Where's　Bob？'　asked　the　landlord。　'You　don't　know？　Well　find　him！　Double　　
sharp！　I　haven't　got　six　legs；　nor　six　eyes　neither！　Tell　Bob　there's　fiveponies　that　have　to　be　stabled。　He　must　find　room　somehow。'　Nob　trotted　offwith　a　grin　and　a　wink。　
'Well；　now；　what　was　I　going　to　say？'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　tapping　hisforehead。　'One　thing　drives　out　another；　so　to　speak。　I'm　that　busy　tonight；　
my　head　is　going　round。　There's　a　party　that　came　up　the　Greenway　from　downSouth　last　night　–　and　that　was　strange　enough　to　begin　with。　Then　there's　atravelling　pany　of　dwarves　going　West　e　in　this　evening。　And　now　there'syou。　If　you　weren't　hobbits；　I　doubt　if　we　could　house　you。　But　we've　got　aroom　or　two　in　the　north　wing　that　were　made　special　for　hobbits；　when　thisplace　was　built。　On　the　ground　floor　as　they　usually　prefer；　round　windows　andall　as　they　like　it。　I　hope　you'll　be　fortable。　You'll　be　wanting　supper；　Idon't　doubt。　As　soon　as　may　be。　This　way　now！'　
He　led　them　a　short　way　down　a　passage；　and　opened　a　door。　'Here　is　anice　little　parlour！'　he　said。　'I　hope　it　will　suit。　Excuse　me　now。　I'm　thatbusy。　No　time　for　talking。　I　must　be　trotting。　It's　hard　work　for　two　legs；　
but　I　don't　get　thinner。　I'll　look　in　again　later。　If　you　want　anything；　ringthe　hand…bell；　and　Nob　will　e。　If　he　don't　e；　ring　and　shout！'　
Off　he　went　at　last；　and　left　them　feeling　rather　breathless。　He　seemedcapable　of　an　endless　stream　of　talk；　however　busy　he　might　be。　They　foundthemselves　in　a　small　and　cosy　room。　There　was　a　bit　of　bright　fire　burning　onthe　hearth；　and　in　front　of　it　were　some　low　and　fortable　chairs。　There　wasa　round　table；　already　spread　with　a　white　cloth；　and　on　it　was　a　large　handbell。　　
But　Nob；　the　hobbit　servant；　came　bustling　in　long　before　they　thoughtof　ringing。　He　brought　candles　and　a　tray　full　of　plates。　
'Will　you　be　wanting　anything　to　drink；　masters？'　he　asked。　'And　shall　Ishow　you　the　bedrooms；　while　your　supper　is　got　ready？'　
They　were　washed　and　in　the　middle　of　good　deep　mugs　of　beer　when　Mr。　
Butterbur　and　Nob　came　in　again。　In　a　twinkling　the　table　was　laid。　There　washot　soup；　cold　meats；　a　blackberry　tart；　new　loaves；　slabs　of　butter；　and　halfa　ripe　cheese：　good　plain　food；　as　good　as　the　Shire　could　show；　and　homelikeenough　to　dispel　the　last　of　Sam's　misgivings　（already　much　relieved　by　theexcellence　of　the　beer）。　
The　landlord　hovered　round　for　a　link；　and　then　prepared　to　leave　them。　
'I　don't　know　whether　you　would　care　to　join　the　pany；　when　you　havesupped；'　he　said；　standing　at　the　door。　'Perhaps　you　would　rather　go　to　your　　
　
beds。　Still　the　pany　would　be　very　pleased　to　wele　you_；_　if　you　had　amind。　We　don't　get　Outsiders　–　travellers　from　the　Shire；　I　should　say；　
begging　your　pardon　–　often；　and　we　like　to　hear　a　bit　of　news；　or　any　storyor　song　you　may　have　in　mind。　But　as　you　please！　Ring　the　bell；　if　you　lackanything！'　
So　refreshed　and　encouraged　did　they　feel　at　the　end　of　their　supper（about　three　quarters　of　an　hour's　steady　going；　not　hindered　by　unnecessarytalk）　that　Frodo；　Pippin；　and　Sam　decided　to　join　the　pany。　Merry　said　itwould　be　too　stuffy。　'I　shall　sit　here　quietly　by　the　fire　for　a　bit；　andperhaps　go　out　later　for　a　sniff　of　the　air。　Mind　your　Ps　and　Qs；　and　don'tforget　that　you　are　supposed　to　be　escaping　in　secret；　and　are　still　_on_　thehigh…road　and　not　very　far　from　the　Shire！'　
'All　right！'　said　Pippin。　'Mind　yourself！　Don't　get　lost；　and　don'tforget　that　it　is　safer　indoors！'　　
The　pany　was　in　the　big　mon…room　of　the　inn。　The　gathering　waslarge　and　mixed；　as　Frodo　discovered；　when　his　eyes　got　used　to　the　light。　
This　came　chiefly　from　a　blazing　log…fire；　for　the　three　lamps　hanging　fromthe　beams　were　dim；　and　half　veiled　in　smoke。　Barliman　Butterbur　was　standingnear　the　fire；　talking　to　a　couple　of　dwarves　and　one　or　two　strange…lookingmen。　On　the　benches　were　various　folk：　men　of　Bree；　a　collection　of　localhobbits　（sitting　chattering　together）；　a　few　more　dwarves；　and　other　vaguefigures　difficult　to　make　out　away　in　the　shadows　and　ers。　
As　soon　as　the　Shire…hobbits　entered；　there　was　a　chorus　of　wele　fromthe　Bree…landers。　The　strangers；　especially　those　that　had　e　up　theGreenway；　stared　at　them　curiously。　The　landlord　introduced　the　newers　tothe　Bree…folk；　so　quickly　that；　though　they　caught　many　names；　they　wereseldom　sure　who　the　names　belonged　to。　The　Men　of　Bree　seemed　all　to　haverather　botanical　（and　to　the　Shire…folk　rather　odd）　names；　like　Rushlight；　
Goatleaf；　Heathertoes；　Appledore；　Thistlewool　and　Ferny　（not　to　mentionButterbur）。　Some　of　the　hobbits　had　similar　names。　The　Mugworts；　for　instance；　
seemed　numerous。　But　most　of　them　had　natural　names；　such　as　Banks；　
Brockhouse；　Longholes；　Sandheaver；　and　Tunnelly；　many　of　which　were　used　inthe　Shire。　There　were　several　Underhills　from　Saddle；　and　as　they　could　notimagine　sharing　a　name　without　being　related；　they　took　Frodo　to　their　heartsas　a　long…lost　cousin。　
The　Bree…hobbits　were；　in　fact；　friendly　and　inquisitive；　and　Frodo　soonfound　that　some　explanation　of　what　he　was　doing　would　have　to　be　given。　Hegave　out　that　he　was　interested　in　history　and　geography　（at　which　there　wasmuch　wagging　of　heads；　although　neither　of　these　words　were　much　used　in　theBree…dialect）。　He　said　he　was　thinking　of　writing　a　book　（at　which　there　wassilent　astonishment）；　_and_　that　he　and　his　friends　wanted　to　collectinformation　about　hobbits　living　outside　the　Shire；　especially　in　the　easternlands。　　
At　this　a　chorus　of　voices　broke　out。　If　Frodo　had　really　wanted　to　writea　book；　and　had　had　many　ears；　he　would　have　learned　enough　for　severalchapters　in　a　few　minutes。　And　if　that　was　not　enough；　he　was　given　a　wholelist　of　names；　beginning　with　'Old　Barliman　here'；　to　whom　he　could　go　forfurther　information。　But　after　a　time；　as　Frodo　did　not　show　any　_sign_　ofwriting　a　book　on　the　spot；　the　hobbits　returned　to　their　questions　aboutdoings　in　the　Shire。　Frodo　did　not　prove　very　municative；　and　he　soon　foundhimself　sitting　alone　in　a　er；　listening　and　looking　around。　
The　Men　and　Dwarves　were　mostly　talking　of　distant　events　and　tellingflews　of　a　kind　that　was　being　only　too　familiar。　There　was　trouble　away　inthe　South；　and　it　seemed　that　the　Men　who　had　e　up　the　Greenway　were　on　themove；　looking　for　lands　where　they　could　find　some　peace。　The　Bree…folk　weresympathetic；　but　plainly　not　very　ready　to　take　a　large　number　of　strangersinto　their　little　land。　One　of　the　travellers；　a　squint…eyed　ill…favouredfellow；　was　foretelling　that　more　and　more　people　would　be　ing　north　in　thenear　future。　'If　room　isn't　found　for　them；　they'll　find　it　for　themselves。　　
　
They've　a　right　to　live；　same　as　other　folk；'　he　said　loudly。　The　localinhabitants　did　not　look　pleased　at　the　prospect。　
The　hobbits　did　not　pay　much　attention　to　all　this；　and　it　did　not　at　themoment　seem　to　concern　hobbits。　Big　Folk　could　hardly　beg　for　lodgings　inhobbit…holes。　They　were　more　interested　in　Sam　and　Pippin；　who　were　nowfeeling　quite　at　home；　and　were　chatting　gaily　about　events　in　the　Shire。　
Pippin　roused　a　good　deal　of　laughter　with　an　account　of　the　collapse　of　theroof　of　the　Town　Hole　in　Michel　Delving：　Will　Whitfoot；　the　Mayor；　and　thefattest　hobbit　in　the　Westfarthing；　had　been　buried　in　chalk；　and　came　outlike　a　floured　dumpling。　But　there　were　several　questions　asked　that　madeFrodo　a　little　uneasy。　One　of　the　Bree…landers；　who　seemed　to　have　been　in　theShire　several　times；　wanted　to　know　where　the　Underhills　lived　and　who　theywere　related　to。　　
Suddenly　Frodo　noticed　that　a　strange…looking　weather…beaten　man；　sittingin　the　shadows　near　the　wall；　was　also　listening　intently　to　the　hobbit…talk。　
He　had　a　tall　tankard　in　front　of　him；　and　was　smoking　a　long…stemmed　pipecuriously　carved。　His　legs　were　stretched　out　before　him；　showing　high　bootsof　supple　leather　that　fitted　him　well；　but　had　seen　much　wear　and　were　nowcaked　with　mud。　A　travel…stained　cloak　of　heavy　dark…green　cloth　was　drawnclose　about　him；　and　in　spite　of　the