"Maybe, maybe not. Anyhow, it helps.

There might be some way of faking him on there. Well, we've got nearly three months to do it in, Laurie, so cheer up. Let's go and eat. A truce to all trouble! The bell rings for supper—"

"Of cold meat as chewy as Indian rupper!" completed Laurie.

"Quitter!" laughed Ned, pushing him through the door.