in the meadow , the confusion and darkness melted away and everything stood clear : the splintery gray poles which held up the folly 's roof , each casting its thin precise shadow ; the table ( equally splintered ) at which they sat on opposing wooden benches , a table that was deeply carved with initials , mostly those of lovers ; the picnic basket , now set aside on the board floor , still open but really finished for the day , the utensils and plastic food-containers neatly packed for the trip back to the hotel .