eventually baron mandorin escorted me to his private study , a book-lined room carpeted and draped in blue high in the east tower of his castle , and we got down to business - after he 'd fetched me a cushion to support my back in the already padded chair he offered me , set a plate of sweetmeats close at hand on the polished , dark wood table , sent for a pot of tea , and placed a footstool close by - just on the off chance that my feet might be tired .