This of course is the way to talk to dragons, if you don’t want to
reveal your proper name (which is wise), and don’t want to infuriate
them by a flat refusal (which is also very wise). No dragon can resist
the fascination of riddling talk and of wasting time trying to
understand it. There was a lot here which Smaug did not understand at
all (though I expect you do, since you know all about Bilbo’s
adventures to which he was
     “I thought so last night,” he smiled to himself. “Lake-men, some nasty
scheme of those miserable tub-trading Lake-men, or I’m a lizard. I
haven’t been down that way for an age and an age; but I will soon
alter that!” “Very well, O Barrel-rider!” he said aloud. “Maybe Barrel
was your pony’s name; and maybe not, though it was fat enough. You may
walk unseen, but you did not walk all the way. Let me tell you I ate
six ponies last night and I shall catch and eat all the others before
long. In return for the excellent meal I will give you one piece of
advice for your good: don’t have more to do with dwarves than you can
help!”
     “Dwarves!” said Bilbo in pretended surprise.
     “Don’t talk to me!” said Smaug. “I know the smell (and taste) of
dwarf-no one better. Don’t tell me that I