Neither party having any advantage over the other in the matter of old

Familiarity with it. The pageant broke up and grouped itself picturesquely,

And remained bareheaded.

Now, to the sound of gay music, the Yeomen of the Guard entered — 'the

tallest and mightiest men in England, they being selected in this regard' — but

we will let the chronicler tell about it:

'The Yeomen of the Guard entered bareheaded, clothed in scarlet, with

Golden roses upon their backs; and these went and came, bringing in each

Turn a course of dishes, served in plate. These dishes were received by a

Gentleman in the same order they were brought, and placed upon the table,

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While the taster gave to each guard a mouthful to eat of the particular dish he

had brought, for fear of any poison.'

Tom made a good dinner, notwithstanding he was conscious that hundreds of

Eyes followed each morsel to his mouth and watched him eat it with an

Interest which could not have been more intense if it had been a deadly

Explosive and was expected to blow him up and scatter him all over the place.

He was careful not to hurry, and equally careful not to do anything whatever

For himself, but wait till the proper official knelt down and did it for him. He

Got through without a mistake — flawless and precious triumph.