Chapters 7-9 Summary

Tom is resigned to being dressed by servants for dinner at the opening of Chapter 7, "Tom's First Royal Dinner." He is conducted to an ornate room where a table is set for one, and is surrounded by courtiers who stand in his presence as he eats. Everyone has been drilled to show no sign of surprise if the prince acts mad, so nobody reacts when Tom eats with his fingers, or won't use his napkin because it is too pretty to soil, or puts nuts in his pocket for later, or drinks from the finger bowl meant for washing his hands. At last, he is conducted back to his private room and left alone. He tries on some armor, cracks some nuts, and then finds a book on English court etiquette, which he enthusiastically reads. In Chapter 8, "The Questions of the...