[Gwathagor]

Though Brown had passed by the home of Gaffer Hugo and his clan many times on his trips through Brandy Hall, he had not met any of the inhabitants. Certainly he had traded "good day" and "hullo" with Rudy and even the gaffer himself on occasion, but he was best acquainted with Snatch. The terrier had often chased him down the lane or barked at him along the fence. Brown often tried to feed him bits of biscuits or meat, but had rarely got more than cordially territorial glares or growls in return. Snatch was never aggressive, just very, very official, as if he was saying, "I'm sorry sir, but I don't believe we've had the pleasure. Be on your way." Nevertheless, to Brown, Snatch became one of the familiar sights (and certainly sounds!) of Brandy Hall.

When they had walked out that morning (the girls chatting away in front, Brown following in the rear), he had no idea it was the Chubbs they were going to see. Snatch's ferocious barking, followed by the creature himself, careening around the corner, was a surprise.

He decided to let Bunny and Tansy handle these new people, so he stood back by the gate, shifting his weight uneasily from leg to leg and keeping an eye on the sun and wind, while Snatch circled him and a safe distance, growling. It was a good day for traveling, and the roots of his curly brown hair told him that it was likely to stay that way.

It occurred to him to try to size up the Chubbs, so he watched while Bunny and Gaffer Hugo negotiated. He had picked up their names by listening to Tansy and Bunny's conversation, and quickly managed to attach names to faces. The old fellow was surely Gaffer Hugo, and those two were clearly Mira and Peony (it didn't matter much to him which was which, as long as they stayed close together), and that other must be Rudy.

That fellow, thought Brown, Looks as if he had his bacon cut too thin and then burnt.

Though he was uncertain about Rudy and the dog, Brown had already taken a liking to Gaffer Hugo, disarmed by the old gentlehobbit's easy and amiable manner.