enjoyed in even greater abundance. But Lady Ebba would have none of it.
Fowls had to be carefully tended, protected from foxes, hawks and other
enemies; the fierce half-wild hogs could take care of themselves. All that
they needed was a peasant herdsman with a dog to keep them together and
see that thieving neighbors did not help themselves. There was more food
in one hog than in a whole covey of game birds, to say nothing of the
trouble of catching and cooking the birds.

Neither did the old dame approve of tapestried walls, cups and bowls of
silver, gold and enamel, flower-gardens or delicately-made dishes.
Fortunately her daughter-in-law's herb-garden was not wholly under the
ban. It contained herbs useful in medicine, and God has ordained that many
useful plants are also beautiful in their season. Sage, balm, caraway,
monk's hood, thyme, thrift, mint, and other plants therefore dwelt
contentedly in a sunny nook of the castle. The Provence roses, lilies and
violets needed little care, and having once taken root were not ousted.
One reason may have been that on special occasions perfumed water was
offered to some guest of importance, for the washing of the hands after
eating. By her manner though not in words Lady Ebba conveyed the idea that
it was as well to have some one in the house who had time and taste for
such things. The embroidering of tapestries and rich robes, and the
repairing of such vestments as had come to mending, might also be done by
the person who had time for it.

The pleasantest hours in Eleanor's day were those that she spent with her
mother in the tapestry chamber. Whenever the weather would allow it they
sat there during the sunny hours of the day, and if Sir Walter was at
home, or it was very cold and some important piece of work must be done,
they could have a brazier of charcoal to keep them warm. There was no
fireplace in the room.