This table, roughly carved at the side, has been polished with wax since first it began to bear food for men, and now the surface shines like a slightly undulating sea in a calm.

At night, the brass candlesticks are reflected in it as in still brown water; so are the vessels of glass and of silver and of pewter, and the flagons of wine.  No cloth is ever spread to hide this venerable splendour, nor, let us hope, ever will be.