[ Now hobbits are suspicious folk to begin with, but now that Sam's got something and someone to protect, and it's his responsibility and his alone mind you, he's less suspicious of of foreigners and more suspicious of unsavory characters as a whole. As the only wizard he's ever known in his whole life had been Gandalf, who carries himself in a calm and collected manner without much exuberance outside of his jolly disposition. This one seems a bit mad, and any mad big-folk are right out in his book.

So yes, being approached by this one is concerning and gets his guard up. That is, until he hears the name Gandalf. He can't help but sink into himself where he had been bubbling up, and the wound is still too new. ]

I'm sorry to be the one who had to tell you this, sir, but Gandalf...I was his friend, sir, or at least I'd say so, not sure he'd say the same being a great wizard and all, and me just a hobbit from the shire but...Gandalf fell sir. In the mines.

I'm sorry.