Your table-cloth is far above the average for town tables and your tray is magnificent." That started a round of talk on city usages, town etiquette and court gossip.

Tanno, very naturally, did much of the talking, the rest mostly questioning and listening.

He spoke at length of the Emperor, but of course more guardedly than while talking to me alone.
When the tray with the first course was removed and while that with the second course was being brought in the talk ebbed.

Tanno gave it a turn, which at first seemed likely to prove unfortunate, by saying: "Now I've told you the latest news from Rome and the current gossip and the popular fads.

Turn about is fair play.