brought five hundred burglars not one. I am sure it reflects great
credit on your grandfather, but you cannot pretend that you ever made
the vast extent of his wealth clear to me. I should want hundreds of
years to bring it all up, if I was fifty times as big, and Smaug as
tame as a rabbit.”
     After that of course the dwarves begged his pardon.
     “What then do you propose we should do, Mr. Baggins?” asked Thorin
politely.
     
     That obviously depends entirely on some new turn of luck and the
getting rid of Smaug.
     Getting rid of dragons is not at all in my line, but I will do my best
to think about it. Personally I have no hopes at all, and wish I was
safe back at home.”
     “Never mind that for the moment! What are we to do now, to-day?”
“Well, if you really want my advice, I should say we can do nothing
but stay where we are. By day we can no doubt creep out safely enough
to take the air. Perhaps before long one or two could be chosen to go
back to the store by the river and replenish our supplies. But in the
meanwhile everyone ought to be well inside the tunnel by night.