270 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [v.

the same number of plates, a cake and several slices
of thin bread and butter, and a small silver cream-jug
of ancient and fantastic pattern. There was nothing
remarkable in all this apparatus, which was in fact
very similar to that which was employed every day at
home for his sister’s five o’clock tea. But as soon as
it had been set before May, the table began to turn
slowly round and round, as if it was not quite satisfied ,
with its position, and wanted to alter it.

Harry had heard a good deal about table-turning,
but it struck him that the practice was an exceedingly
inconvenient one when adopted by tables which had
your meals upon them. May and her companion, how-
ever, did not seem to think there was anything extra-
ordinary inthe matter. The former, in no way puzzled
or surprised, cleverly lifted the tea-pot as it moved
past her, and dexterously poured out three cups of tea
without spilling a drop. Then she asked Harry.to
cut her some cake, which he found the greatest diffi-
culty in doing, as the table resolutely refused to stop,
and kept on going steadily round. However, as an
Eton boy never gives way to any difficulties, Harry
managed, somehow or other, to chop a bit out of the
cake as it passed him, which he handed to his sister.
He was not so fortunate with the cream, which he
could not pour into his cup without spilling, and was
much irritated at seeing the squirrels, who were all
standing in a row behind May’s chair, evidently
laughing to themselves at his awkwardness.

‘JT don’t see why your servants should laugh,’ said
he rather crossly. ‘It is an absurd thing to have such
a table like this for your five o’clock tea. It would be