bathed in the river, which was shallow and clear and stony at the
ford. When they had dried in the sun, which was now strong and warm,
they were refreshed, if still sore and a little hungry. Soon they
crossed the ford (carrying the hobbit), and then began to march
through the long green grass and down the lines of the wide-armed oaks
and the tall elms.
     “And why is it called the Carrock?” asked Bilbo as he went along at
the wizard’s side.
     “He called it the Carrock, because carrock is his word for it. He
calls things like that carrocks, and this one is the Carrock because
it is the only one near his home and he knows it well.”
     “Who calls it? Who knows it?”
     “The Somebody I spoke of-a very great person. You must all be very
polite when I introduce you. I shall introduce you slowly, two by two,
I think; and you must be careful not to annoy him, or heaven knows
what will happen. He can be appalling when he is angry, though he is
kind enough if humoured. Still I warn you he gets angry easily.”
     The dwarves all gathered round when they heard the wizard talking like
this to Bilbo. “Is that the person
     “Couldn’t you find someone more easy-tempered? Hadn’t you better