How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph).
Quote #10
"Hullo, Sam!" said Rosie. "Where've you been? They said you were dead; but I've been expecting you since the Spring. You haven't hurried, have you?"
"Perhaps not," said Sam abashed. "But I'm hurrying now. We're setting about the ruffians, and I've got to get back to Mr. Frodo. But I thought I'd have a look and see how Mrs. Cotton was keeping, and you, Rosie."
[…]
"I think you look fine, Sam," she said. "Go on now! But take care of yourself, and come straight back as soon as you have settled the ruffians." (6.8.123-24,127)
After they've been separated for a year, the first thing Sam and Rosie have to say to each other is "Hullo." Seriously, guys? That's all you have to say? Aside from this hilarious greeting, what strikes us about this scene is how self-sacrificing a female Rosie is. Sure, she wants to reunite with her sweetheart, but she knows he has some rather masculine problems to deal with first—those ruffians, to be precise. She immediately recognizes that Sam's duty (to Frodo and to the Shire) comes first.