Page 194 - The Hobbit

through the camp an old man wrapped in a dark cloak, rose from a tent door

where he was sitting and came towards them.
"Well done! Mr. Baggins!" he said, clapping Bilbo on the back. "There is
always more about you than anyone expects!" It was Gandalf.

For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted. But there was no
time for all the questions that he immediately wished to ask.
"All in good time!" said Gandalf. "Things are drawing towards the end now,
unless I am mistaken. There is an unpleasant time just in front of you; but keep

your heart up! You may come through all right. There is news brewing that even
the ravens have not heard. Good night!"
Puzzled but cheered. Bilbo hurried on. He was guided to a safe ford and set

across dry, and then he said farewell to the elves and climbed carefully back
towards the Gate. Great weariness began to come over him; but it was well before
midnight when he clambered up the rope again – it was still where he had left it.
He untied it and hid it, and then he sat down on the wall and wondered anxiously

what would happen next.
At midnight he woke up Bombur; and then in turn rolled himself up in his
corner, without listening to old dwarfs thanks (which he felt he had hardly

earned). He was soon fast asleep forgetting all his worries till the morning. As
matter of fact he was dreaming of eggs and bacon.