Tonk, unmarried wife, of Mitten Island...." The Relieving Officer went away, for it was dinner-time.

Sarah Brown absently unwrapped the little dinner which she had brought hanging by a thin string from a strangled finger.

Mustard sandwiches with just a flavouring of ham, and a painfully orthodox 1918-model bun, made of stubble.

Sarah Brown almost always forgot the necessity of food until she was irrevocably in the 'bus on her way to work.

But this morning, as she had taken her seat with David in the bouncing ferry-boat, there had been a panting rustling noise behind her, and Harold the Broomstick had swept a little packet of sandwiches into her lap.