第47页 / 共788页

The whole company was just returning from the grove, gaily, but

in order; first the little children with their tutor, then the

Judge with the wife of the Chamberlain; beside them the

Chamberlain, surrounded by his family; after the older people

came the young ladies, with the young men beside them; the young

ladies walked a half-step before the young men: so decorum bids.

No one there had arranged the order, no one had so placed the

gentlemen and the ladies, but each without conscious thought kept

the order: for the Judge in his household observed the ancient

customs, and never allowed that respect should be neglected for

age, birth, intelligence, or office: "By such breeding," said he,

"houses and nations win fame, and with its fall, houses and

nations go to ruin." So the household and the servants grew

accustomed to order; and a passing guest, whether kinsman or

stranger, when he visited the Judge, as soon as he had been there

a short time, accepted the established ways of which all about

him breathed.