As they went slowly up the long hall (and it was thirty fathom of length)
Ralph looked cheerfully and friendly from side to side, and beheld the faces
of the Shepherds and the Champions, and the men of Wulstead, and his own folk;
and all they cried hail to him and the lovely and valiant Lady.
Then he looked up to the high-seat, and saw that his father's throne
was empty, and his mother's also; but behind the throne stood a knight
all armed in bright armour holding the banner of Upmeads; but his father
and mother stood on the edge of the dais to meet him and Ursula;
and when they came up thither these old folk embraced them and kissed them
and led them up to the table. Then Ralph bade Ursula sit by his mother,
and made him ready to sit by his father in all love and duty.
But King Peter stayed him and said: "Nay, dear son, not there, but here
shalt thou sit, thou saviour of Upmeads and conqueror of the hearts
of men; this is a little land, but therein shall be none above thee."
And therewith he set Ralph down in the throne, and Ralph, turning to his
left hand, saw that it was Ursula, and not his mother, who sat beside him.
But at the sight of these two in the throne the glad cries and shouts
shook the very timbers of the roof, and the sun sank under while yet
they cried hail to the King of Upmeads.
Then were the lights brought and the supper, and all men fell to feast,
and plenteous was the wine in the hall; and sure since first men met
to eat together none have been merrier than they.
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