Question

But Bilbo had not finished. Seizing a horn from a youngster near by, he blew three loud hoots. The noise subsided. I shall not keep you long, he cried. Cheers from all the assembly. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Something in the way that he said this made an impression. There was almost silence, and one or two of the Tooks pricked up their ears.

–The Fellowship of the Ring,
J. R. R. Tolkien

What can the reader most clearly infer about Bilbo from the passage?

Bilbo is soft-spoken and timid.
Bilbo is assertive and commanding.
Bilbo is humorous and lighthearted.
Bilbo is arrogant and disliked.

Answer 1

Bilbo is assertive and commanding.

Evidence: he seizes a horn and blows it to stop the noise, announces he "shall not keep you long" which makes an impression, and his words bring quiet and attention (cheers stop, people become silent and pricked up their ears).