The tents were placed in regular order, that of the
duke in the centre, those of his chief nobles in order of rank on
either side. Behind was a line for the use of the court officials,
pages, and knights of less degree, while the soldiers would sleep
in the open. As the party rode up a chamberlain with three or four
assistants met them. Each was provided with lists containing the
names of all the duke's following, and these were at once conducted
to the tents alloted to them, so that in a few minutes all were
housed without the slightest confusion or trouble. The squires of
the knights and nobles and the attendants of the officers and pages
at once took the horses and picketed them in lines behind the tents,
rubbing them down and cleaning them with the greatest care, and
then supplying them with forage from the piles that had that morning
been brought in from the neighbouring farms. Fuel in abundance had
also been stacked. A number of cooks had come on with the tent
equipage, and supper was already prepared for the duke and his
party, while animals had been slaughtered and cut up, and the
men-at-arms soon had the joints hanging over their bivouac fires.
"This is all wonderfully well managed, Beorn," Wulf said. "I doubt
whether it could be done so well and orderly with us at home."
"What does it matter?" Beorn said contemptuously. "It makes no
difference whether one sups five minutes after arrival or an hour.
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