And to be asked now for the loan of a pot of jam was too great a shock for his gravity, and he burst out laughing.
"A pot of jam!" he exclaimed.

"Whatever do you mean ?" "Oh, any sort you've got," said the captain, eagerly; "and I suppose you haven't got a pie of any sort, or some muffins ?" Fairbairn gaped at his visitor with something like apprehension as he came out with this extraordinary request.

The captain's voice was grave, and _no_ suspicion of a jest lurked in his face.

Could he possibly have succumbed to the mental strain of the past term, and taken leave of his wits?
"What _are_ you talking about, Riddell ?" asked Fairbairn, in tones almost of pity.

"Has anything happened to you ?" Riddell looked at the speaker inquisitively for a moment, then broke out into a laugh.
"What an ass I am! I forgot to tell you what I wanted them for.