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Page 78
Although the music was still going on, the clear tone of the bell which
the Queen had rung was heard above every other sound.
The music and the dancing stopped at once.
"Come, Peter, give me your arm," said Mary. "We're going into the
supper-room."
They stepped down into the hall, where all the Parsnip-men had now
ranged themselves in two long rows, down the centre of which the Queen
and her companion now passed, and then the Parsnip-men closed in and
formed a long procession behind them.
In this way they came to the other end of the hall. The large
folding-doors swung open, and Peter fancied he was looking into a large
garden. But it was only another hall in which tall foreign-looking trees
were planted, whilst many-tinted flowers of gorgeous colours and strange
shapes hung from the walls, and hither and thither among them flitted
curious birds of many hues. As in the first hall, crystal lustres with
wax tapers descended from the roof, and in the middle of the room, to
which they now advanced, was a long table covered with a white
table-cloth, and laid out with gold and silver plate of all sorts. There
were golden vases with handles, golden tankards, golden dessert-dishes
filled with splendid fruits; silver plates and goblets and
drinking-cups, and beside them stood crystal flasks. Hundreds of chairs
were placed round the table, and in every place was a little silver
knife and a plate.
Peter could not gaze long enough. He wanted to stop every moment, but
Mary only laughed, and dragged him on.
[Illustration]
About the middle of the long table there was a dais raised above the
level on which the other chairs and table stood. It was covered by a
canopy of yellow silk, and under this was a table more richly laid out
than the big one, and two seats of pure gold. To this Mary led Peter,
and then said emphatically--"These are _our_ seats."
Up they climbed, and then Mary dropped Peter's arm and sat down on one
of the seats, and he seated himself beside her on the other.
From his present elevation Peter was well able to observe the
Parsnip-men as they passed by in procession, and took their places on
the chairs.
When all were seated the music recommenced. Then out of a side door came
about fifty mannikins carrying large cakes on silver dishes, which they
set down on the long table, and having cut them up handed them round to
the guests. Others poured red or golden wine from the vases into the
goblets. Everybody ate and drank, and chatted and laughed
between-whiles.
Among the golden dishes on the golden table where Peter and Mary sat,
was one which held a cake which had a particularly inviting smell. Mary
cut a piece off and put it on to Peter's golden plate. Then, from a
beautiful golden goblet, she poured ruby-coloured wine into their
crystal glasses.
Peter ate and drank with great relish, and soon disposed of the cake and
wine.
[Illustration]
"I should like to have some of that beautiful fruit, too, if I may,"
said he. And as he spoke Mary filled his plate with grapes, apples, and
pears.
"Eat away, Peter!" said she, laughing till her white teeth shone through
her lips. "Don't be afraid of emptying the dish. There is plenty more
fruit if we want it."
"I should like to take some home to Mamma," said Peter, biting into an
apple. "May I, Mary?"
Mary nodded kindly, and handed him a golden dish full of sweetmeats,
saying, "Put as many of these into your pocket as you like." And he
filled his pockets accordingly.
Peter felt as happy as a king. His head was quite turned. He shouted
aloud for joy, and swung his legs backwards and forwards as he sat on
his golden chair.
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