e of King Arthur; the drawing of the magic sword from the
anvil, the finding of the good sword Excalibur, his deeds of
justice and acts of kindness, and his many battles and wars.

The two wings of the palace contained the dining hall and kitchen
and the living apartments of all the members of the court who
made their home with the king. The dining hall was only a little
less beautiful than Arthur's great Assembly Hall. The walls were
hung with cloths of scarlet and gold. The deep fireplace was
supported by four bronze pillars. In the middle of the room were
long tables made of oak boards set on ivory trestles. At a
banquet the walls were hung with garlands of flowers or festoons
of branches.

The great kitchen had stone walls and stone flagging. The
fireplace was so large that there was room for a whole ox to be
roasted, and above hung cranes from which half a dozen kettles
could be suspended, and pots of such a size that pigs could be
boiled whole in them. All about the walls were cupboards. Some
were full of plates of wood, iron, steel, silver, and gold, and
flagons, cups, bowls, and saltcellars of gold and silver. Others
were used for the storing of cold meats and fruits. There were
several tables on which the cooked food was cut, and benches upon
which the cooks rested when they were tired of serving the hungry
eaters.

Well might they have grown tired.

Supper, the most important meal of the day, lasted from three
until six, and often longer. But the cooks, and the little
scullion boys who washed the pots and pans, and the attendants
who carried in the food to the dining hall, all wore contentment
and happiness on their faces as they hurried about with their
long blouses tucked out of harm's way; for to serve King Arthur
and his guests was considered a real privilege.

The sleeping rooms were furnished with chests, and chairs, and
beds spread with fine linen and with ermine-lined covers.
Hangings of various colors were upon the walls. On the floors
were strewn rushes, and among them was thrown mint which gave
forth an agreeable odor.

After Arthur, his officers, and his servants had been in the
palace a few days, the king formally established his Court. He
invited all the knights who cared to do so to come with their
families and retinues and live with him. Some preferred to remain
in their own castles, but others gladly went to live with the
king. Soon all were comfortably settled.

The king's officer