(Tom indeed said earlier, FR p. 137, that he and Goldberry had heard of their wandering, and 'guessed you'd come ere long down to the water', and this is found in both the original texts).

Aye, they come ere in my granfer's time.

We guessed you'd come ere long down to the water: all paths lead that way, down to Withywindle.

Perhaps it would have come ere now, had I not been fated to guide thee.

Yet if my hope is not cheated, a time will come ere long when I can speak more fully.