Third time pays for all

I have now entered the "third phase" as Christopher Tolkien calls it in The Return of the Shadow. He dates this around late 1938 to early 1939. And there are minimal alterations by his father so most of the chapters, through the Barrow-downs are covered rather quickly. But to give you an idea this phase contains the 6th version of A Long Expected Party. Wow; six rewrites of one chapter (a sixth time pays for all?). I was beginning to wonder why it's taken me so long to get through this book: it's felt a little repetitive working through similar material over and over again. A couple of small points of interest:

• What was once a large contingent of Men, Elves, and Dwarves bringing supplies to Bilbo's party is now just one wagon of Dwarves.
• Lofar, Nar, Anar, and Hannar still exist
• Bingo is gone; Frodo is the Ringbearer and heir of Bilbo
• Frodo's friends are: Meriadoc Brandybuck, Folco Took, and Odo Bolger
• Gandalf's timing and frequency of visits after Bilbo's departure are different
• It seems at this point that Gandalf knew Bilbo's Ring was the One; but never told the hobbit
• Considerable thought had to be given to the rewrite of Chapter 3 considering the fact that Odo was no longer on the walking journey across the Shire and his character's nonchalant words had to be absorbed by other characters while unsuitable for others (like Sam).
• When the plan to cross the Old Forest was made Odo was still hesitant. He still justifies his reason for staying with the rationale that someone must stay if Gandalf arrives. He does offer, this time, to go with Gandalf after them.