"What did people do before the guest houses?"

"There is provision to tell a person on your door step that you are very sorry, but you have no room and insufficient food for your own household. Then the person is obligated to leave and find other shelter."

"I imagine that would be hard to take if you were being turned away from a grand estate."

"Oh yes," Hersh grinned, "but the rules of the peace say you can't argue. The host loses face, but keeps their wealth. The King ...