"Show me the Hall; I have long wished to see the ballroom. 'Tis a fine
room, Roger says."

"Fine!" exclaimed the cook. "I should think it is fine. There's not
another in all Queen Elizabeth's land to equal it. I will show it thee
afterwards."

"Help me with this sack of flour," exclaimed the baker, "and I will
show it thee now."

Manners chopped the carcase up, for which he was promised a share of
the pie, and quickly satisfied the baker. His strength, indeed, was
wonderful, and what two bakers had failed to do together, he easily
accomplished alone.

"Thou shalt have a cake to-night," exclaimed the baker, admiringly.
"A milk-white cake hot off the hearthstone, such as my lord the baron
loveth so well," and they passed through the stone-flagged passage
into the banqueting-room beyond to see the wonders of the Hall.

"Nay," exclaimed the chamberlain, as they attempted to pass up the
steps leading to the upper part of the Hall. "'tis against the rules,
you know."

"All right, John, 'tis all right," replied the baker. "Hubert is going
to help me, and you cannot stay me, I trow, or Lady Vernon will come
upon thee about the cakes for the feast."

There was no gainsaying this argument, for John stood in mortal fear
of his mistress, and at the mention of her name he stepped aside and