in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep-set round
windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to
the river.
     This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins.
The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out
of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because
most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures
or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on
any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how
a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things
altogether unexpected. He may have
     the neighbours’ respect, but he gained-well, you will see whether he
gained anything in the end.
     The mother of our particular hobbit ... what is a hobbit? I suppose
hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare
and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a
little
     There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday
sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large
stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like