With these he went to the little keg which, it will be remembered, had been stood ready upon the trestles, and, bending over it while he drew the spigots, filled the vessels to the brim.

Then he beckoned to a reeve sitting at the lower table to bring him a leather jack that stood upon the board.

Having rinsed it out with wine, he filled that also, handing it with the jug to the reeve to drink their lord's health on this Yule night.

The silver vessel he bore back to the high table, and with his own hand filled the horn cups of all present, Rosamund alone excepted, for she would touch none, although he pressed her hard and looked vexed at her refusal.

Indeed, it was because it seemed to pain the man that Sir Andrew, ever courteous, took a little himself, although, when his back was turned, he filled the goblet up with water.