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.The next day Frodo became really anxious,and kept a constant look-out for Gandalf.Thursday, his birthday morning,dawned as fair and clear as it had long ago for Bilbo's great party.StillGandalf did not appear.In the evening Frodo gave his farewell feast: it wasquite small, just a dinner for himself and his four helpers; but he wastroubled and fell in no mood for it.The thought that he would so soon haveto part with his young friends weighed on his heart.He wondered how hewould break it to them.The four younger hobbits were, however, in high spirits, and the partysoon became very cheerful in spite of Gandalf's absence.The dining-room wasbare except for a table and chairs, but the food was good, and there wasgood wine: Frodo's wine had not been included in the sale to theSackville-Bagginses.'Whatever happens to the rest of my stuff, when the S.-B.s get theirclaws on it, at any rate I have found a good home for this!' said Frodo, ashe drained his glass.It was the last drop of Old Winyards.When they had sung many songs, and talked of many things they had donetogether, they toasted Bilbo's birthday, and they drank his health andFrodo's together according to Frodo's custom.Then they went out for a sniffof air, and glimpse of the stars, and then they went to bed.Frodo's partywas over, and Gandalf had not come.The next morning they were busy packing another cart with the remainderof the luggage.Merry took charge of this, and drove off with Fatty (that isFredegar Bolger).'Someone must get there and warm the house before youarrive,' said Merry.'Well, see you later - the day after tomorrow, if youdon't go to sleep on the way!'Folco went home after lunch, but Pippin remained behind.Frodo wasrestless and anxious, listening in vain for a sound of Gandalf.He decidedto wait until nightfall.After that, if Gandalf wanted him urgently, hewould go to Crickhollow, and might even get there first.For Frodo was goingon foot.His plan - for pleasure and a last look at the Shire as much as anyother reason - was to walk from Hobbiton to Bucklebury Ferry, taking it fairly easy.'I shall get myself a bit into training, too,' he said, looking athimself in a dusty mirror in the half-empty hall.He had not done anystrenuous walking for a long time, and the reflection looked rather flabby,he thought.After lunch, the Sackville-Bagginses, Lobelia and her sandy-haired son,Lotho, turned up, much to Frodo's annoyance.'Ours at last!' said Lobelia,as she stepped inside.It was not polite; nor strictly true, for the sale ofBag End did not take effect until midnight.But Lobelia can perhaps beforgiven: she had been obliged to wait about seventy-seven years longer forBag End than she once hoped, and she was now a hundred years old.Anyway,she had come to see that nothing she had paid for had been carried off; andshe wanted the keys.It took a long while to satisfy her, as she had broughta complete inventory with her and went right through it.In the end shedeparted with Lotho and the spare key and the promise that the other keywould be left at the Gamgees' in Bagshot Row.She snorted, and showedplainly that she thought the Gamgees capable of plundering the hole duringthe night.Frodo did not offer her any tea.He took his own tea with Pippin and Sam Gamgee in the kitchen.It hadbeen officially announced that Sam was coming to Buckland 'to do for Mr.Frodo and look after his bit of garden'; an arrangement that was approved bythe Gaffer, though it did not console him for the prospect of having Lobeliaas a neighbour.'Our last meal at Bag End!' said Frodo, pushing back his chair.Theyleft the washing up for Lobelia.Pippin and Sam strapped up their threepacks and piled them in the porch.Pippin went out for a last stroll in thegarden.Sam disappeared.The sun went down.Bag End seemed sad and gloomy and dishevelled.Frodowandered round the familiar rooms, and saw the light of the sunset fade onthe walls, and shadows creep out of the corners.It grew slowly darkindoors.He went out and walked down to the gate at the bottom of the path,and then on a short way down the Hill Road.He half expected to see Gandalfcome striding up through the dusk.The sky was clear and the stars were growing bright.'It's going to bea fine night,' he said aloud.'That's good for a beginning.I feel like walking.I can't bear any more hanging about.I am going to start, andGandalf must follow me.' He turned to go back, and then slopped, for heheard voices, just round the corner by the end of Bagshot Row.One voice wascertainly the old Gaffer's; the other was strange, and somehow unpleasant.He could not make out what it said, but he heard the Gaffer's answers, whichwere rather shrill.The old man seemed put out.'No, Mr.Baggins has gone away.Went this morning, and my Sam wentwithhim: anyway all his stuff went.Yes, sold out and gone, I tell'ee.Why?Why's none of my business, or yours.Where to? That ain't no secret.He'smoved to Bucklebury or some such place, away down yonder.Yes it is - a tidyway.I've never been so far myself; they're queer folks in Buckland.No, Ican't give no message.Good night to you!'Footsteps went away down the Hill.Frodo wondered vaguely why the factthat they did not come on up the Hill seemed a great relief.'I am sick ofquestions and curiosity about my doings, I suppose,' he thought.'What aninquisitive lot they all are!' He had half a mind to go and ask the Gafferwho the inquirer was; but he thought better (or worse) of it, and turned andwalked quickly back to Bag End.Pippin was sitting on his pack in the porch.Sam was not there.Frodostepped inside the dark door.'Sam!' he called.'Sam! Time!''Coming, sir!' came the answer from far within, followed soon by Samhimself, wiping his mouth.He had been saying farewell to the beer-barrel inthe cellar.'All aboard, Sam?' said Frodo.'Yes, sir.I'll last for a bit now, sir.'Frodo shut and locked the round door, and gave the key to Sam.'Rundown with this to your home, Sam!' he said.'Then cut along the Row and meetus as quick as you can at the gate in the lane beyond the meadows.We arenot going through the village tonight.Too many ears pricking and eyesprying.' Sam ran off at full speed.'Well, now we're off at last!' said Frodo.They shouldered their packsand took up their sticks, and walked round the corner to the west side ofBag End.'Good-bye!' said Frodo, looking at the dark blank windows.Hewavedhis hand, and then turned and (following Bilbo, if he had known it) hurriedafter Peregrin down the garden-path.They jumped over the low place in the hedge at the bottom and took to the fields, passing into the darkness like arustle in the grasses.At the bottom of the Hill on its western side they came to the gateopening on to a narrow lane.There they halted and adjusted the straps oftheir packs.Presently Sam appeared, trotting quickly and breathing hard;his heavy pack was hoisted high on his shoulders, and he had put on his heada tall shapeless fell bag, which he called a hat.In the gloom he lookedvery much like a dwarf.'I am sure you have given me all the heaviest stuff,' said Frodo.'Ipity snails, and all that carry their homes on their backs.''I could take a lot more yet, sir
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