The Prince and The Pauper


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Chapter XVI. The State Dinner.  
The dinner hour drew near--yet strangely enough, the thought brought but  
slight discomfort to Tom, and hardly any terror. The morning's  
experiences had wonderfully built up his confidence; the poor little  
ash-cat was already more wonted to his strange garret, after four days'  
habit, than a mature person could have become in a full month. A child's  
facility in accommodating itself to circumstances was never more  
strikingly illustrated.  
Let us privileged ones hurry to the great banqueting-room and have a  
glance at matters there whilst Tom is being made ready for the imposing  
occasion. It is a spacious apartment, with gilded pillars and pilasters,  
and pictured walls and ceilings. At the door stand tall guards, as rigid  
as statues, dressed in rich and picturesque costumes, and bearing  
halberds. In a high gallery which runs all around the place is a band of  
musicians and a packed company of citizens of both sexes, in brilliant  
attire. In the centre of the room, upon a raised platform, is Tom's  
table. Now let the ancient chronicler speak:  
"A gentleman enters the room bearing a rod, and along with him another  
bearing a tablecloth, which, after they have both kneeled three times  
with the utmost veneration, he spreads upon the table, and after kneeling  
again they both retire; then come two others, one with the rod again, the  
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Page
154 155 156 157 158

Quick Jump
1 85 169 254 338