By this time, the tea having stood long enough, he poured out, and the
meal began.

Merrett and his friends were hearty feeders, and conversation
languished for some time. Then Chadwick leaned back in his chair, and
breathed heavily.

"You couldn't get stuff like that at Cook's," he said.

"I suppose it is a bit different," said Dunstable. "Have any of
you ... noticed something queer...?"

Merrett stared at Ruthven. Ruthven stared at Merrett.

"I...." said Merrett.

"D'you know...." said Ruthven.

Chadwick's face was a delicate green.

"I believe," said Dunstable, "the stuff ... was ... poisoned. I...."

* * * * *

"Drink this," said the school doctor, briskly, bending over
Dunstable's bed with a medicine-glass in his hand, "and be ashamed of
yourself. The fact is you've over-eaten yourself. Nothing more and
nothing less. Why can't you boys be content to feed moderately?"