Peter Trusbut, as usual, officiated as carver. And the manner in which he distributed slices of the savoury and juicy meat, which owing to the preparation it had undergone, had a tenderness and mellowness wholly indescribable, with modicums of the delicate fat, elicited the host’s warmest approbation. The giants spoke not a word; and even the ladies could only express their delight by interjections. Reserving certain delicate morsels for himself, Peter Trusbut, with a zeal worthy of the cause in which he was engaged, continued to ply his knife so unremittingly, that no one’s plate was for a moment empty, and yet with all this employment, he did not entirely forget himself. Hairun was in ecstacies; and while the giants were still actively engaged, he placed before them enormous goblets filled with bragget, a drink composed of strong ale sweetened with honey, spiced and flavoured with herbs. At the first pause, the gigantic brethren drained their cups; and they were promptly replenished by the hospitable bearward. By this time, the greater part of the boar had disappeared. Its well-flavoured back and fattened flanks were gone, and the hams and head alone remained. Seeing that the other guests were satisfied, the pantler, with some little labour, hewed off the two legs, and giving one to each of the unmarried giants, assigned the head to Magog. “Mauger himself never did his office with greater dexterity than you have displayed in decapitating that wild boar, master pantler,” observed Magog, smiling as he received the welcome gift. “You are not going to eat all that, you insatiable cormorant,” cried his dame, from the other end of the table. “Indeed, but I am, sweetheart,” replied Magog, commencing operations on the cheek; “wherefore not?” “Wherefore not,” screamed Dame Placida, “because you’ll die of an apoplexy, and I shall be a second time a widow.” “No matter,” replied the giant, “I’m weary of life, and cannot end it more comfortably.—I’ll eat in spite of her,” he added, half aloud. This last remark, in spite of Ribald’s interference, might have called forth some practical rejoinder on the part of his wife, had not her attention and that of the rest of the company been drawn, at the moment, towards Xit. Amongst other animals allowed to range about the bearward’s house, was a small mischievous ape. This creature had seated itself behind Xit’s chair, where it made the most grotesque grimaces in imitation of the mannikin. The guests were at first too much occupied to take any notice of its proceedings, and Xit, wholly unconscious of its presence, pursued his repast in tranquillity. The more substantial viands disposed of, he helped himself to some roasted chesnuts, and was greedily munching them, when the monkey stretched its arm over his shoulder, and snatched a handful.