On these they sat and low tables were brought--beautiful tables of smooth, blue stone mounted in gold.

On these, golden trays were placed; but there were no knives, or forks, or spoons.

The children expected the Queen to call for them; but no.

She just ate with her fingers, and as the first dish was a great tray of boiled corn, and meat and raisins all mixed up together, and melted fat poured all over the tray, it was found difficult to follow her example with anything like what we are used to think of as good table manners.

There were stewed quinces afterwards, and dates in syrup, and thick yellowy cream.