It was less than an hour until dinner time when I made it back to Uncle Oruc's and Aunt Monria's house. I turned my horse over to the stable master, Gerson, and went in through the back entrance of the house. The servants were in a veritable uproar scrambling through preparations for dinner, so I was able to make my way unnoticed through the hallway and up the stairs to my room.

Oh, I remembered. Uncle Oruc and Aunt Monria were having guests tonight. I had best make a good impression when I went to dinner, as befitted Havenwing's newest school teacher.

"Sit yourselves down," ordered Anya. "It's time to eat. Elinor, it's your turn to feed the twins tonight. Don't forget to put their bibs on. Why, Basso, I declare! You haven't washed your hands yet. Dectho even has washed his hands before you. Go right now" (with a good-natured swat) "and clean those filthy paws!" The large family sat down at the table with a pleasant, homely clatter. Ficum glanced around the table, wondering where he should sit. Foi, who was fourteen, indicated a spot next to him, across from Elinor.