baffled and curious officials came hurrying out to meet them whenever they came down for some food near a town of sufficient size , and laurence was forced on more than one occasion to put on the heavy golden dragon-robes , the emperor 's gift , to make their questions and demands for paperwork subside into a great deal of formal bowing and scraping : though at least he did not need to feel improperly dressed , as in his makeshift green coat .