[#] How jewels were set in linen sheets is a mystery, but there is abundant evidence of the fact.
[#] It was considered of consequence that the bread at a feast should be as new as possible.
My gracious Lord did not blame me; he asked Umberge and me together how it happened that all these things were wrong: and I declare, if Umberge did not say, "Elaine had the ordering of it; Monseigneur will please to ask her." I am afraid I lost my temper, for I said--
"Yes, Monseigneur, I had the ordering of it, for my fair sister took no care of any thing; and if I could have had three pairs of hands, and been in six places at once, perhaps things might have been right."
Monseigneur only laughed, and patted my head. But this evening I heard him say to Guillot, just as I was entering the hall--
"Fair Son, thy fair wife puts too much on the child Elaine."
Guillot laughed, rubbed his forehead, and answered--"Fair Father, it will take more than me to stop her."
"What! canst thou not rule thine own wife?" demanded our gracious Lord.
"Never tried, Monseigneur," said Guillot. "Too late to begin."
And Monseigneur only said, with a sigh,--"I wonder when we shall hear from Guy!"
Guillot looked relieved, and (seeing me, I think) they went on to talk of something else.
But everything seems changed since they came. Except for my gracious Lord and Amaury and Raoul. It does not feel like home.
Alix rode over this afternoon. I took her to my bower in the turret, and almost directly she asked me,--"How do you get on with our fair sister?"
And I said,--"O Alix! I wish thou wouldst come back!"
She laughed, and replied,--"What would my lord say, child? I thought you were not very comfortable."
"What made thee think so, Alix? Was it Tuesday night?"
"Tuesday night--the supper? I guessed you had seen to it."
"Why?--was it so very bad?" said I, penitently.
"Bad?--it was carelessness and neglect beyond endurance," she said. "No, I saw the maids wanted the mistress's eye; and Umberge evidently had not given it; and I thought you had tried to throw yourself into the gap, and--as such an inexperienced young thing would--had failed."
I really was pleased when Alix said that.
"Then thou wert not vexed with me, Alix?"
"Not I. You did your best. I was vexed enough with Umberge. I knew she was lazy, but I did not expect her to discredit the house like that."