1. Forum
  2. FidoNet
  3. ENGLISH TUTOR

  • A fifth table :)

    From Alexander Koryagin@2:221/1 to All on Mon Oct 5 14:09:04 2026

    Hi, All!


    In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", by J. K. Rowling I read:

    -----Beginning of the citation-----
    The Great Hall looked its usual splendid self, decorated for the
    start of term feast. Golden plates and goblets gleamed by the
    light of hundreds and hundreds of candles, floating over the
    tables in midair. The four long House tables were packed with
    chattering students; at the top of the Hall, the staff sat along
    one side of a fifth table, facing their pupils.
    ----- The end of the citation -----

    Taking into account "The four long House tables" why she wrote "the staff sat along one side of a fifth table"? Why "a fifth table"?

    Bye, All!
    Alexander Koryagin

    ---
    * Origin: news://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/1.0)
  • From Dallas Hinton@1:153/7715 to Alexander Koryagin on Mon Oct 5 10:50:50 2026
    Hi, Alexander -- on Oct 05 2026 at 14:09, you wrote:

    Taking into account "The four long House tables" why she wrote "the
    staff sat along one side of a fifth table"? Why "a fifth table"?

    Traditionally in English universities, students sit at a number of long tables with a raised table at right angles to them for the
    staff/teachers/professors.

    Cheers... Dallas

    --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
    * Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, CANADA (1:153/7715)
  • From Alexander Koryagin@2:221/1 to Dallas Hinton on Tue Oct 6 09:18:28 2026

    Hi, Dallas Hinton!
    I read your message from 05.10.2026 10:50
    Taking into account "The four long House tables" why she
    wrote "the staff sat along one side of a fifth table"? Why
    "a fifth table"?
    Traditionally in English universities, students sit at a number
    of long ??tables with a raised table at right angles to them
    for the staff/teachers/professors.

    What would have changed if she put "the fifth table"?

    -------------
    The four long House tables were packed with
    chattering students; at the top of the Hall, the staff sat along
    one side of THE fifth table, facing their pupils.
    -------------

    Bye, Dallas!
    Alexander Koryagin
    english_tutor 2026

    ---
    * Origin: news://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/1.0)
  • From mark lewis@1:3634/12.73 to Alexander Koryagin on Tue Oct 6 07:47:30 2026

    On 2026 Oct 06 09:18:28, you wrote to Dallas Hinton:

    @BBSID: RBB

    Hi, Dallas Hinton!
    I read your message from 05.10.2026 10:50
    Taking into account "The four long House tables" why she
    wrote "the staff sat along one side of a fifth table"? Why
    "a fifth table"?
    Traditionally in English universities, students sit at a number
    of long ??tables with a raised table at right angles to them
    for the staff/teachers/professors.

    What would have changed if she put "the fifth table"?

    -------------
    The four long House tables were packed with
    chattering students; at the top of the Hall, the staff sat along
    one side of THE fifth table, facing their pupils.
    -------------

    to me, this is because there could have been more than one table that could be used as a "fifth" table...

    )\/(ark

    "The soul of a small kitten in the body of a mighty dragon. Look on my majesty, ye mighty, and despair! Or bring me catnip. Your choice. Oooh, a shiny thing!"
    ... No flu shot, I'm counting on excessive garlic consumption to be healthy. ---
    * Origin: (1:3634/12.73)
  • From Dallas Hinton@1:153/7715 to Alexander Koryagin on Tue Oct 6 08:22:46 2026
    Hi, Alexander -- on Oct 06 2026 at 09:18, you wrote:

    What would have changed if she put "the fifth table"?

    -------------
    The four long House tables were packed with
    chattering students; at the top of the Hall, the staff sat along one
    side of THE fifth table, facing their pupils.
    -------------

    I think you're trying to read far too much into this section. It's a simple description of a 4 table plus head table seating area.


    Cheers... Dallas

    --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
    * Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, CANADA (1:153/7715)