or
these birds were usually taught to sit hoodless in the evening among
company undisturbed. Hunting-spears, jackets, chain-armour, shields, and
helmets, decorated the walls; and many a goodly heritage of antlers
hung, like forest boughs stripped of their verdure. There were two
oriels furnished with leaning-stones for the convenience of loungers.
Painted glass filled the higher portions of the windows, representing
uncouth heads, hands, feet, and bodies of saints, in all the glowing and
gorgeous magnificence which the beam of heaven can give to colours of
more than earthly brightness, though disposed in forms of more than
childish absurdity.

The hall, the usual rendezvous of the household, was now deserted for
the dread solemnities of that cheerless night. But the stranger was much
discouraged by reason of the coldness and gloom, shivering audibly at
the comfortless appearance that was before him.

"St Martin's malison light on ye--fire, billets, and all--I've seen
nothing like to warm my bare nose and knuckles since we left Halton, two
long days agone. Verily, to my thinking, there's as much timber burnt
there daily as ye would pile here for a winter's use."

"Prithee come with me into the kitchen, we may have better quarters
peradventure among the fleshpots," said Oliver, leading the stranger
through a small doorway on the left. This _coquinus_ of our ancestors
was usually placed near the hall, for the convenience of serving. Here,
through a sliding aperture in the panel, the victuals were transferred
with safety and despatch. It was built entirely of stone, having a
conical roof with a turret at the top for the escape of steam and smoke.
A fire was still burning, provided with a large cauldron suspended on a
sort of versatile gibbet, by which contrivance it could be withdrawn
from the flame. Fire-rakes and fire-jacks were laid on the hearth, and
around the walls were iron pots, trivets, pans, kettles, ladles,
platters, and other implements of domestic economy. Huge dressers
displayed symptoms of preparation for to-morrow's necessities, and a
coarse kitchen-wench was piling fuel on the ever-burning fire.

The envoy, glad to be ensconced so near the blaze, quickly addressed
himself to the task of improving it by a dexterous use of a huge faggot
by way of poker. He had thrown off his upper clothing; and the grim
walls soon reddened with the rising glow. So intent was he on an
occupation which he evidently enjoyed,