Free The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Page A

musical crackers had been pulled. Most of them bore the mark DALE on them; which did not convey much to most of the hobbits, but they all agreed they were marvellous crackers. They contained
     instruments, small, but of perfect make and enchanting tones. Indeed, in one corner some of the young Tooks and Brandybucks,
     supposing Uncle Bilbo to have finished (since he had plainly said all that was necessary), now got up an impromptu orchestra,
     and began a merry dance-tune. Master Everard Took and Miss Melilot Brandybuck got on a table and with bells in their hands
     began to dance the Springle-ring: a pretty dance, but rather vigorous.
    But Bilbo had not finished. Seizing a horn from a youngster nearby, he blew three loud hoots. The noise subsided.
I shall not keep you long,
he cried. Cheers from all the assembly.
I have called you all together for a Purpose.
Something in the way that he said this made an impression. There was almost silence, and one or two of the Tooks pricked
     up their ears.
    Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is
     too short a time to liveamong such excellent and admirable hobbits.
Tremendous outburst of approval.
    I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out
     and see if it came to a compliment.
    Secondly, to celebrate my birthday.
Cheers again.
I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo. He comes of age and into
     his inheritance today.
Some perfunctory clapping by the elders; and some loud shouts of ‘Frodo! Frodo! Jolly old Frodo,’ from the juniors. The Sackville-Bagginses
     scowled, and wondered what was meant by ‘coming into his inheritance’.
    Together we score one hundred and forty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use
     the expression.
No cheers. This was ridiculous. Many of the guests, and especially the Sackville-Bagginses, were insulted, feeling sure they
     had only been asked to fill up the required number, like goods in a package. ‘One Gross, indeed! Vulgar expression.’
    It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long
     Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays
     did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendid, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could
     only say ‘thag you very buch’. I now repeat it more correctly: Thank you very much for coming to my little party.
Obstinate silence. They all feared that a song or some poetry was now imminent; and they were getting bored. Why couldn’t
     he stop talking and let them drink his health? But Bilbo did not sing or recite. He paused for a moment.
    Thirdly and finally
, he said,
I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT .
He spoke this last word so loudly and suddenly that everyone sat up who still could.
I regret to announce that – though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you – this is the END . I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!
    He stepped down and vanished. There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked. When they opened their eyes
     Bilbo was nowhere to be seen. One hundred and forty-four flabbergasted hobbits sat back speechless. Old Odo Proudfoot removed
     his feet from the table and stamped. Then there was a dead silence, until suddenly, after several deep breaths, every Baggins,
     Boffin, Took, Brandybuck, Grubb, Chubb, Burrows, Bolger, Bracegirdle, Brockhouse, Goodbody, Hornblower, and Proudfoot began
     to talk at once.
    It was generally agreed that the joke was in very bad taste, and morefood and drink were