230 OUR WOODLAND TREES. 
was to take place on the night of the 11th, and 
the invitation to it was sent to all and sundry, no 
one being forgotten. It can be imagined with 
what unusual pleasure the great entertainment 
was looked forward to when it became understood 
that no expense would be spared in the preparation 
of the sumptuous board; and none but those 
whom illness confined to their beds refused the 
hospitable call. Never had there been such a 
gathering as that night was seen within the 
manorial hall of Waltham. A rich feast was 
spread out before the assembled guests, and ale 
and wine flowed in ceaseless streams. Merrily 
indeed passed the evening, and so well was the 
entertaimment kept up that the guests took no 
heed of the flight of time, and when midnight 
came festivity was at its height. 
About the small hours of the morning the 
wassailers having eaten and drunk to the full, 
sallied forth from the festive hall, and they then 
bethought them of their wood-cutting. But their 
late entertainer told them, with a malicious smile 
of triumph, that they had not kept to the letter of 
the Royal Charter, by commencing to lop the 
