Cover for main mealsRobert Farnham next learns how to lay the table for dinner:
Hampden Well, we have to prepare for dinner this evening so let's begin over here at this large round table. Robert How many place-settings? Hampden Eight altogether. I see those fine linen tablecloths have; already keen spread out. Now in the middle first of all we have the service plate and serviette. On either side we place the dinner knife and fork. The fork on the left and the knife on the right! Robert What happens if someone is left-handed? Hampden That's his problem. Next we take the fish knife and fork and then the soup spoon on the right next to the fish knife. Now above the plate we need the dessert spoon and the fork; the spoon above the fork with the handle to the right. Robert Does the dessert fork have the handle to the left? Hampden Yes. Next we need a bread and butter plate with a side knife and some wine glasses. Robert How do I know whether it's a Hock, Burgundy or Claret glass? Hampden Look at the menu. Tills evening we have a Niersteiner with the smoked rainbow trout and a Gevrey-Chambertin with the reindeer. Robert So that's a Hock and a Burgundy. Hampden You are learning fast. Now we shall need salt and pepper shakers and a vinegar cruet. Robert What about the table number and menu card? Hampden Good. I nearly forgot those. Yes, they go here above the bread and butter plate, and perhaps we could put the ash tray over here on the right above the wine glasses. Now you carry on with the rest of the place-settings. Robert I'll have it done in no time, Mr. Hampden, and thanks once again.
1 Service plate and serviette 2 Dinner knife 3 Dinner fork 4 Fish knife 5 Fish fork 6 Soup spoon 7 Dessert spoon 8 Dessert fork 9 Bread and butter plate 10 Side knife 11 Wine glass 12 Salt and pepper 13 Table number 14 Ash tray
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