Tolkien notes several details about this hobbit-hole: round, green door with a shiny yellow knob in the middle, lots of pantries, and space for guests. All very consistent of the manner of Hobbits. And of course, this hobbit-hole belonged to a Mr. Bilbo Baggins. "The Bagginses have lived in the neighbourhood of the Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him" (p. 10, The Hobbit). Not the sort of daring adventuring thief Gandalf had just presented to Thorin and the Dwarves!
Bilbo's mother was Belladonna Took one of the Old Took's daughters. This is important because though the Took's were by far richer than the Bagginses they were also less respected. That particular family had a habit of running off on adventures. This, of course, means that adventure is in Bilbo's blood. Just for fun, Bilbo's father was Bungo Baggins a solid Hobbit who never adventured. And it appeared that Bilbo would follow directly into his father's footsteps being 50 years old at the time when Gandalf came calling.
It was in the morning of a fateful day when Bilbo was smoking his pipe (with toe hair neatly brushed Tolkien notes--funny!) when he offered a heartfelt good morning to Gandalf. To which the Wizard replied: "'Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?' 'All of them at once,' said Bilbo." (p. 12, The Hobbit).
Gandalf went straight into business announcing his need of someone to share an adventure. Bilbo made it known that folks around his way did not take part in any adventures. A comical scene ensues where Bilbo decides Gandalf his not his sort of person and pretends to read and ignore the Wizard. Gandalf simply leans on his staff and stares at the Hobbit until things become a little uncomfortable. At this Bilbo nearly lost his cool: "'Good morning!' he said at last. 'We don't want any adventures here, thank you! You might try over The Hill or across The Water.' By this he meant that the conversation was at an end. 'What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!' said Gandalf. 'Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won't be good till I move off' (p. 13, The Hobbit).
Being a hospitable Hobbit Bilbo did not wish to come off as rude so he inquired of his visitor's name and upon learning it was Gandalf ("'I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!'" p. 13, The Hobbit) he realized exactly who he was talking too (with fond memories of the Wizards fireworks of course). But Gandalf would not let go of the adventure bit and by now Bilbo was thoroughly perplexed: "'Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good morning! But please come to tea -- any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Come tomorrow! Good bye!' With that the hobbit turned and scuttled inside his round green door, and shut it as quickly as he dared, not to seem rude. Wizards after all are wizards" (p. 14, The Hobbit).
Bilbo was slightly concerned he had asked Gandalf over for tea but for the most part was quite pleased with himself for avoiding that adventure business. "Gandalf in the meantime was still standing outside the door, and laughing long but quietly. After a while he stepped up, and with the spike on his staff scratched a queer sign on the hobbit's beautiful green front-door" (p. 14-15, The Hobbit). Gandalf admitted later his confidence in the hobbit had been shaken but by now the plan was already implemented with Thorin leading his band of Dwarves to Bag End at that very moment. As an aside, I think I shall now use "Good morning!" for a variety of uses from here one; particularly in moments of exasperation and confusion.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (April 25th)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 9-15, Unfinished Tales, page 335
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