This was done to
appease the hunger before the grand collation should take place later.
And there was music by the fiddlers on the upper terrace, and there
was,--dear me, it would take quite too long to tell it all!
And at last, the order was given to fall into line, and march around
the long tables resplendent with their cold joints and hot joints;
their pasties, and tarts, and cakes, and great flagons of ale. And over
all was a wealth of bloom from the big old English gardens in the rear
of the old hall. The posies filled Polly with delight, as she and Tom's
sisters and Phronsie had gathered them under the direction of the
gardeners in the early morning; and then--oh, best of all--Mrs. Selwyn
had allowed her to give the finishing touches to them as they became
the decoration for the feast.
And the little old earl called the large assemblage to order, and the
vicar asked the grace, and the feast was begun!
And then one of the tenants found his feet, and leaning on his staff,
he thanked the Earl of Cavendish for all his goodness, and he hoped
there would be many blessings in store for 'im and 'is, and sank on his
bench again, mopping his face with his big red handkerchief.
And then the little old earl responded in as pretty a speech as could
well be imagined, in which he forgot nothing that he ought to say. And
there were many "God bless 'ims!" to follow it, and then there were
cries of "Master Tom, Master Tom," who appeared to be an immense
favourite; and the earl, well pleased, pulled him forward, saying, "Go
ahead, youngster, and give it to them.
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