“You may as well join them in their exercises.  In that way you will sooner become at home with them.”

Gervaise at once laid down his mantle, removed his doublet, and then joined the others.  There was but one half hour remaining before they broke off to go to dinner, which was at half past ten, but the time sufficed to show the young pages that this English lad was the equal of all —­ except two or three of the oldest —­ both in strength and in knowledge of arms.  He could climb the rope with any of them, could vault on to the wooden horse with a heavy cuirass and backpiece on him, and held his own in a bout with swords against Conrad von Berghoff, who was considered the best swordplayer among them.  As soon as the exercises were over all proceeded to the bath, and then to dinner.  The meal was a simple one, but Gervaise enjoyed it thoroughly, for the table was loaded with an abundance of fruits of kinds altogether novel to him, and which he found delicious.

The official in charge of them sat at the head of the table, and the meal was eaten in silence.  After it was over and they had retired to their own rooms discipline was at an end, and they were free to amuse themselves as they liked.  There were many questions to be asked and answered, but his display of strength and skill in the courtyard saved Gervaise from a good deal of the teasing to which a newcomer among a party of boys is always exposed.

He, on his part, learnt that the duties of the pages were very light.  Two only were on duty each day, being in constant attendance on the grand master, and accompanying him wherever he went.  When he dined in public four of them waited on him at table, and one of them performed the duties of taster.  If he returned to the palace after dark, six others lined the staircase with torches.  On occasions of state ceremony, and at the numerous religious festivals, all were in attendance.  By this time Gervaise’s trunks had been brought over from the English auberge, where they had been conveyed from the ship, and his garments were taken out and inspected by his comrades, who all admitted that they were, in point of beauty of colour and material, and in fashion, equal to their own.

“You will have to get one more suit, Gervaise,” one of the lads said.  “At one or two of the grand ceremonies every year we are all dressed alike; that is the rule.  On other occasions we wear what we choose, so that our garments are handsome, and I think it looks a good deal better than when we are dressed alike; though no doubt in religious processions that is more appropriate.  De Ribaumont, our governor, will give orders for the supply of your state costume.  He is a good fellow.  Of course, he has to be rather strict with us; but so long as there is nothing done that he considers discreditable to our position, he lets us do pretty nearly as we like.