However, we must try our best to satisfy him.

We have every reason to stand well with him, and if he sees that we are really anxious to please him, we ought to be able to avoid falling into disgrace, even when he is in his worst moods." Their attendant presently brought up the six portions of food, and they enjoyed their meal heartily.

Each had an ample portion of a pillau of rice and chicken, a plate of stew, which Dick thought was composed of game of some kind, and a confection in which honey was the predominating flavour.

With this they drank water, deliciously cooled by being hung up in porous jars.
Surajah ate his food with the dexterity of long habit, but Dick had not yet learned to make his bread fulfil the functions of spoon and fork, for at his uncle's table European methods of eating were adopted.
Half an hour after they had finished, an officer presented himself at the door, and said that he was ordered to conduct them to the sultan.
Tippoo had supped in the harem, and was now seated on a divan, in a room of no great size, but richly hung with heavy silken curtains, and carpeted with the richest rugs.

Two or three of his chief officers were seated beside him.