The fact is, I asked two kids to breakfast this morning, and I just remembered I had nothing but tea and toast to offer them; and it's too early to get anything in.

I'd be awfully obliged if you could help me out with it." Fairbairn's merriment broke out afresh as the truth revealed itself, and it was some time before he could attend to business.

He then offered Riddell anything he could find in his cupboard, and the captain thereupon gratefully availed himself of the offer to secure a pot of red-currant jam, a small pot of potted meat, two or three apples, and a considerable section of a plum cake.

All these he promised to replace without delay, and triumphantly hurried back with them in his pocket and under his jacket, in time to deposit them on his table before the bell began to ring for chapel.

He also sent Cusack round to the school larder to order three new laid eggs and some extra butter to be delivered at once.
These grand preparations being duly made, he breathed again, and went hopefully to chapel.
As it happened, he had been very near reckoning without his host, or I should say his guests.