out to keep
the gravy in; and the poor have no plates at all beyond a cake of bread.
Their drinking-glasses are just cows' horns, with the tip cut off and a
wooden bottom put in. They have also a few wooden bowls, and one
precious brass pot; half a dozen knives, rough unwieldy things, and four
wooden spoons; one horn spoon is kept for best. Forks? Oh dear, no;
nobody knows anything about forks, except a pitchfork. Table-linen?
No, nor body-linen; those luxuries are only in the big castles. Let us
watch Avice's mother as she sets the table for four-hours, remembering
that they are going to have company, and therefore will try to make
things a little more comfortable than usual.

In the first place, there will be a table to set. If they were alone,
they would use one or two of the high stools. But Agnes goes out into
the little yard, and brings back two boards and a couple of trestles,
which she sets up in the middle of the room. This is the table--rather
a rickety affair, you may say; and it will be quite as well that nobody
should lean his elbow on it. Next, she puts on the boards four of the
cows' horns, and the two trenchers, with one bowl. She then serves out
a knife and spoon for each of four people, putting the horn spoon for
the Bishop. Her preparations are now complete, with the addition of one
thing which is never forgotten--a very large wooden salt-cellar, which
she puts almost at one end, for where that stands is a matter of
importance. Great people--and the Bishop is a very great person--must
sit above the salt, and small insignificant folks are put below. We may
also notice that the Bishop is honoured with a horn and a trencher to
himself. This is an unusual distinction. Husband and wife always share
the same plate, and other relatives very frequently. As to Avice, we
see that nothing is set for her. The child will share her mother's
spoon and horn; and if the Bishop brings his chaplain, he will have a
spoon and horn for himself, but will eat off the Grandmother's plate.

Our picture is finished, and now the story may begin.

CHAPTER TWO.

HOW THINGS CHANGED.

"Open the door, Avice, quick!" said Agnes, as a rap came upon it.
"Yonder, methinks, must be the holy Bishop."

Avice ran to the door, and opened it, to find two priests standing on
the threshold. They entered, the foremost with a smile to the child,
after which he held up his hand, saying, "Christ save all here!" Then
he