Therefore he must pay eighteen pence for dinner, even though he
had not eaten it. Also there lay somewhat heavily on his mind the
fact that at ten the next morning he must read to his tutor an
essay on "Danton and Robespierre," an essay as yet unwritten.
That would mean a very early rising and an uncomfortable chilly
session in the college library, a dismal place in the forenoon.
Never mind, first came a jolly evening with the Scorpions. The
meetings were always fun, and this one, coming after the
separation of a six-weeks' vacation, promised special sport.
Carter was down for a paper on Rabelais; King would have some of
his amusing ballades and rondeaus; and above all there would be
the first chapter of the serial, from which the members promised
themselves much diversion. It was too late now to attempt
anything on Danton and Robespierre; he picked up a volume of
Belloc and sat cosily by the fire.

A thumping tread sounded on the winding stairs, then the faint
clink of a large metal tray laid on the serving table outside,
and a muffled knock at the "oak," the thick outer door which
Forbes had "sported" when he came in at six to write his stint.
He unfastened the barrier and admitted Hinton, the scout, who
bore in a tray of eatables, ordered by Forbes from the college
store-room for the refreshment of his coming guests. Forbes, like
most men of modest means, made it a point of honour to entertain
lavishly when it was his turn as host, and the display set out by
Hinton made an attractive still life under the droplight. A big
bowl of apples and oranges stood in the centre; tin boxes from
Huntley and Palmer, a couple of large iced cakes, raisins, nuts,
and a dish of candied fruits ended the solids. There was also a
tray of coffee cups and a huge silver coffee pot bearing the