'
This was all fine and pleasant. Tom's pulse beat high and a glad
light was in his eye. He bore himself right gracefully, and all the
more so because he was not thinking of how he was doing it, his mind
being charmed and occupied with the blithe sights and sounds about
him- and besides, nobody can be very ungraceful in nicely fitting
beautiful clothes after he has grown a little used to them- especially
if he is for the moment unconscious of them. Tom remembered his
instructions, and acknowledged his greeting with a slight
inclination of his plumed head, and a courteous 'I thank ye, my good
people.'
He seated himself at table without removing his cap; and did it
without the least embarrassment; for to eat with one's cap on was
the one solitary royal custom upon which the kings and the Cantys
met upon common ground, neither party having any advantage over the
other in the matter of old familiarity with it. The pageant broke up
and grouped itself picturesquely, and remained bareheaded.
Now, to the sound of gay music, the Yeomen of the Guard entered-
'the tallest and mightiest men in England, they being selected in this
regard'- but we will let the chronicler tell about it:
'The Yeomen of the Guard entered bareheaded, clothed in scarlet,
with golden roses upon their backs; and these went and came,
bringing in each turn a course of dishes, served in plate. These
dishes were received by a gentleman in the same order they were
brought, and placed upon the table, while the taster gave to each
guard a mouthful to eat of the particular dish he had brought, for
fear of any poison.
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