The House

Head low, Felix followed the man the remaining distance to his house. He did not speak. Thoughts raced around his head as he trudged on. Finally the man stopped.
"Welcome to my abode, Felix. First, some refreshment, then you will be anxious to begin, no doubt." Felix raised his head and looked around.
Ahead of him was a large house. The house had two floors and there were irregularly spaced windows. At one end there was a tall tower, with a steeply sloping roof. It was by far the strangest house that Felix had ever seen. Out of the corner of his eye, Felix caught a glimpse of movement. As he turned to focus, the man spoke.
"Shall we?" His voice was low, but Felix was not in any position to argue. He was simply determined to get on with the test and return back home.
The house appeared even more peculiar when Felix stepped inside. Each wall was lined with shelves which were bursting with assorted containers of all varieties. There was one section which seemed to be devoted to the storage of books of all colours and sizes. There were some unrecognisable objects suspended from the beams in the ceiling which reminded him of the village butcher's shop. He tried not to look too closely.
In the centre of the room was a huge table, filled with jars and bottles. In the hearth, Felix saw a large steaming stewing pot hanging on a chain over the meagre fire. It occurred to him that he was rather hungry now, and he was tired.
The man indicated to a stool for Felix and went through a small door next to the bookshelves. Before Felix had dropped his bag and made himself comfortable, the man returned with a tray of bread. He carried a cup and a knife. The man cleared a space on one corner of the table and placed the items there before carefully selecting a dusty bottle from one shelf and a small jar containing a red sludge.
"Elderberry cordial and strawberry jam," he explained, noting the expression on Felix's face. "So no more time is wasted, you eat whilst I outline your task."