no-one ever molested an egg ; the grounds-keepers would take them away , but with infinite care , in waggons lined with straw , hot-water bottles , and woolen blankets in the wintertime ; and they would bring back reports until the eggs were hatched and no more of anyone 's concern ; so everyone knew the eggs were safe in their hands ; safer , even , than keeping them oneself , so even the dragons who had not cared to take a captain themselves , at all , would often as not hand over their own eggs .