"J.R.R. Tolkien - Farmer Giles of Ham" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolkien J.R.R)

all about hunger or swords.

Early on the Epiphany they went up the hill, carrying the
strange result of their handiwork. Giles was expecting
them. He had now no excuses left to offer; so he put on
the mail jerkin and the breeches. The miller sniggered.
Then Giles put on his topboots and an old pair of spurs;
and also the leathercovered helmet. But at the last moment
he clapped an old felt hat over the helmet, and over the
mail coat he threw his big grey cloak.

`What is the purpose of that Master?' they asked.

`Well,' said Giles, `if it is your notion to go dragonhunting
jingling and dingling like Canterbury Bells, it ain't mine. It
don't seem sense to me to let a dragon know that you are
coming along the road sooner than need be. And a
helmet's a helmet, and a challenge to battle. Let the worm
see only my old hat over the hedge, and maybe I'll get
nearer before the trouble begins.'

They had stitched on the rings so that they overlapped,
each hanging loose over the one below, and jingle they
certainly did. The cloak did something to stop the noise of
them, but Giles cut a queer figure in his gear. They did not
tell him so. They girded the belt round his waist with
difficulty, and they hung the scabbard upon it; but he had
to carry the sword, for. it would no longer stay sheathed,
unless held with main strength.

The farmer called for Garm. He was a just man according
to his lights. `Dog,' he said, `you are coming with me.'

The dog howled. 'Help! help!' he cried.

'Now stop it!' said Giles. `Or I'll give you worse than any
dragon could. You know the smell of this worm, and
maybe you'll prove useful for once.'

Then Farmer Giles called for his grey mare. She gave him
a queer look and sniffed at the spurs. But she let him get
up; and then off they went, and none of them felt happy.
They trotted through the village, and all the folly clapped
and cheered, mostly from their windows. The farmer and
his mare put as good a face on it as they could; but Garm
had no sense of shame and slunk along with his tail down.

They crossed the bridge over the river at the end of the
village. When at last they were well out of sight, they
slowed to a walk. Yet all too soon they passed out of the