Shocked!

I just read this sentence in The Hobbit:

The feast that they now saw was more magnificent then before

and I am leaning on the verge, the very cusp of losing all faith in J.R.R. Tolkien. I am shocked to the bones at the inappropriate use of the word “then.”

Search your libraries! Tell me, is this a one-off publisher error, or is this a typo that has sat unnoticed for 50 years?

Author: KB French

Formerly many things, including theology student, mime, jr. high Latin teacher, and Army logistics officer. Currently in the National Guard, and employed as a civilian... somewhere View all posts by KB French