& the fourth

[quu]

MINGLING POST: DINNER

[quu]

Dinner is served right in the parlor. Servants come in bearing a large low table which they set between the couches and chairs. Another one brings a white cloth, which he snaps over the surface, and a third and fourth bring porcelain and silver and napkins to set place. Glasses follow, then a flower arrangement.

The presentation is casual, if thorough. Wine, beer, and cold water arrive in hefty pitchers. The dinner dishes are arrayed in buffet service upon the sideboard. An enormous joint of roast beef is there, piping hot and already carved, and a whole salmon that had been broiled over salt; and platters of asparagus, roasted root vegetables, broiled tomatoes; and a great tureen of turtle soup, and another of potatoes au gratin (although it has another name here, potatoes and cheese are a literally universal constant.) There are baskets of rolls and cups of butter and strawberries and salt and pepper and everything else necessary for a civilized meal al fresco.

(Picking up from here. Chat, dine, and get familiar with each other! Joffrey may circulate amongst the diners. This post will set up next week's game nite!)