We stood behind our lady's chair at the dinner, which was very splendid and well furnished, with guests of great quality. The Duke entertained many gentlemen in his household, and the expenses of the table alone were something fabulous. As I glanced down the long board, I saw at the lower end a face and figure which seemed at once to take me back to childish days at Peckham Hall. The dress was that of a priest, but I could not see the face plainly for a great burly count from the Low Countries who sat above. The glimpse I had, excited me to a lively curiosity, and I longed for another, but when I looked again the priest had left the board.
"Now we shall have our dinner," said Mrs. Mandeville, with some appearance of interest. (It was the only subject on which she ever did show any animation.) "I hope they have not eaten up all the sturgeon."
I felt for a moment foolishly humiliated at having to sit down to the board after others had finished, but I might have spared myself that mortification, for I found that the ladies and gentlemen attendant directly upon the Duke and Duchess dined in a chamber by themselves, and as well as any one at the great board, if they chose. It was a fast day, and I, who was accustomed to keep the fasts and feasts of the church, was surprised to see the delicacies which were served to us.
Mistress Curtis presided at the board and kept order, yet was there abundance of lively conversation among the young gentlemen. Only when it seemed verging upon too much freedom did Mistress Curtis, smilingly, call them to order. There were half a dozen pages of noble, or at least gentle, birth, who were being bred up in the Duke's household, and instructed in all sorts of manly exercises in the tilt-yard and manege, besides what book-learning they got with a master entertained for the purpose. Two or three of these were little lads of an age, as it seemed, to be under their mothers, and it pleased me to see how these children came about Mistress Curtis when the meal was done, and how kindly she spoke to them. One of them had been crying, and, on being questioned, owned that he had been in difficulties with his tutor on account of certain pronouns whereof he could by no means understand the declensions.
"Bring your book to me," I ventured to say, (I knew I had an hour to myself at this time) "and, with Mistress Curtis's leave, I will see if I can help you."
"Do so, Roger, since Mistress Corbet is so kind," added Mistress Curtis.
The little fellow—he was no more than seven years old—brightened up and ran off for his book.
"Law's me, Mistress Corbet, what pleasure can there be in spending your play-hour over a Latin grammar and a stupid lad?" said Mrs. Mandeville.
"Oh I like teaching, and I remember mine own troubles with these same declensions," said I; and little Roger returning, I took him into the window-seat and soon made his way plain for him.
"Thank you, madam," said the child, gratefully. "I wish I might do my lessons with you every day. Master Sprat is so cross, and when I am puzzled, he says I could learn if I would—but I can't learn unless I understand. But he is going away to his now cure—much good may it do him," said Roger, brightening up, "and perhaps Master Corbet may be more good-natured."