had like to be hidden behind a Pile of dry Crusts and Porridge, which I would fain have let be; but they would have Nothing but that I should fall to and consume them; whereat I contrived with great Adroitness to pass most of the Mass beneath the Table, and so set Matters straight.
After that the Company fell to admiring the choice Plants which they would have it ornamented the Centre of the Table; but, for the Life of me, I could swear there was no single Plant there, nor any Flower nor Fruit either; nor was my Friend Peter of a different Persuasion from the Rest of them, vowing roundly that in his Life he had never seen finer Roses; and presently made as if taking up one of them and presenting it to a Spinster that sat at his Right, at which she smirked in a gratified Way.
The Repast being finished, the whole Company were taken with a huge Admiration of the Panelling and Decoration of the fine Ancestral Hall in which they sat; and this for all that it was among the barest whitewashed Rooms that I have set Eyes on, and of a very comfortless Aspect: and then what should they be at but all draw their Chairs toward a portion of Wall as flat and bare as any of it, being (as I gleaned) of a fixed Persuasion that there was a great Fireplace with a mighty comforting Fire of blazing Faggots therein!
"Admiring the Christmas decorations."
At this time Peter would have me come with him into another Apartment that we might smoke a Pipe together, and as we passed out I overheard some of the Company admiring the Christmas Decorations of Holly and Ivy Boughs, and Wreaths; of which, nevertheless, I would have been sworn there was not so much as a Vestige about!
No sooner were we come into the other Apartment but I cried out roundly on my Friend about this outrageous Pleasantry that he and the Others would be putting upon me; whereat he was mightily diverted at my Perverseness in denying the Existence of the Delicacies, and the Elegance of the Surroundings.
"For I would have you know," said he with some Warmth, "that we are here in a most venerable Country Mansion that was erected by our Ancestors Centuries ago; and I am persuaded that you must be gone clean out of your Senses that you cannot perceive these Suits of their Armour on every side, nor cannot admire the most sumptuous Repast that has been spread before you!" And with this he fell puffing angrily at a long Pipe that in no way existed.
"He fell puffing angrily."
I now perceived the Moorish Gentleman from Hindustan approach me, and wave his hands before me; whereupon I suddenly awoke to my previous Blindness and Lack of Perception, seeing that I now became aware of the very Truth of all that my Friend had averred; for as there stood indeed the Suits of Armour on all Hands, so there were also the panelled Walls and the Christmas Decorations.
That I might be assured I was not taken with Dreams nor any Trick of the
