We all became satisfied, full, stuffed. The last dessert course hd been a flakey pastry over some unknown cooked fruit that was both sweet and tart. The whole wasw covered by a cool tan cream which was lightly flavored with the same mysterious fruit in a strong alcoholic liqueur. Extremely good; it left seeds in my teeth.
As we groaned at the tables; the plates, knives and forks were cleared away and a slight breeze blew through the hall, and the formerly laden tables had nothing but glasses and carafes of cool water.
To our left, a pair of singers in modest attire, apparently a young couple, sang a sweet song, followed by a sad one, and finally a lively one. They bowed and received a dish filled with money that had been circulated for them.
Presently, a man appeared before the dais, dr
