Page 656 of 788

The Judge, with a bow, withdrew from the banquet; in the yard he

was entertaining a throng of peasants, whom he had gathered at a

table a furlong in length; he himself sat at one end and the

parish priest at the other. Thaddeus and Sophia did not take

seats at the table; being occupied with serving the peasants,

they ate as they walked. Such was the ancient custom-that new

owners of a farm, at the first feast, should wait on the common

folk.