Thrice it was repeated, to recall any guest who might, perhaps, have strayed away too far, and then the heydukes threw wide open the large folding doors which led into the banqueting hall.
The vast and splendid room was filled from end to end with long tables, which as usual were spread for as many guests again as there were people actually present, so that any late comers might easily find room.
Every table bent beneath the weight of pies and tarts; the most magnificent fruit--golden melons, scaly pine-apples, whole stacks of them--everywhere exhaled their fragrance; pasties of terrific size and shape towered upwards from the midst of the guests who sat opposite and around them, and huge fish, veritable whales in size, embedded in vine-leaves, filled their would-be devourers with despair.

Wreaths and bouquets in porcelain vases stood between all the dishes.
A whole museum of gold and silver plate was piled upon the tables.

Even the singing students were to drink out of silver beakers.

In the midst of the room stood a silver basin, from whose cunningly devised fountain the pure wine of Tokay spouted upwards in a jet of topas yellow.
Every one sat down in his place while Master Jock made his way to the head of the table.

When he got there he perceived that another cover was standing there beside his own.