times, and in which the Vernon family worshiped for four
hundred years. It still contains some old wooden pews, and traces of
grotesque paintings may be seen upon its walls.

"Where are we going now?" whispered Barbara, keeping close to Betty,
as the guide led them down a very dark passage, with an uneven stone
floor. "Oh, it's the kitchen!"

A light had now been struck, and the huge fireplaces of this kitchen
of bygone days could be seen. Everything seemed complete, even to the
woodbox which once held the tremendous logs.

"How in the world could they see to cook in such a dark place?"
inquired the practical John.

"Oh, there were probably great torches fastened to the walls, and then
there are some tiny windows. When your eyes grow accustomed to the dim
light, you can see fairly well. I should think, though, that once in a
while, the cook might have put a little too much salt in the pasty,"
Mrs. Pitt replied laughingly.

An exceedingly curious feature of Haddon's Banqueting-hall is an iron
bracket with a ring, which is between the entrance doors. Naturally,
Mrs. Pitt was called upon to explain this.

[Illustration: "IT STILL SEEMS ALIVE WITH MEMORIES OF THE FAIR DOROTHY
VERNON."--_Page 217._]

"Well," said she, "it's worth an explanation, for it has a strange
purpose. Any guest who could not or would not drink as much as was
required of him by the laws of hospitality, had his arm fastened up to
that ring, and what he had refused to take was poured down his sleeve.
Fancy! For my part, I should consider that a sad waste! Speaking of
drinking, I wonder if you really know what it means when a man pledges
or drinks a health. It's a very ancient custom! Back in the days of
Saxon England, it very often happened that a man would be stabbed
while drinking, so it became the habit for him to turn to his neighbor
and ask if he would 'pledge' him. If he agreed, his duty was to keep
guard over his friend who wished to drink. A trace of this caution
still exists at Queen's College, Oxford. There the students who wait
upon the 'fellows,' stand behind them and place their right thumbs
upon the table."

The round steps in the Long Gallery are said to have been cut from one
great oak, grown on the estate. Up these they went, and followed the
guide to the celebrated Ball-room, which is so often and so
beautifully pictured. This long room is exquisite with its carved
paneling, polished, inlaid floor, and lovely bay-windows overl