So that night Duncan, hearing of what was intended, sat in the next study, and Eric, with Bull, Wildney, Graham, and Pietrie, had the room to themselves.

Several of them were lower boys still, but they came to the studies after bed-time, according to Wildney's almost nightly custom.
A little pebble struck the study window.
"Hurrah!" said Wildney, clapping his hands, "here's the grub." They opened the window and looked out.

Billy was there, and they let down to him a long piece of cord, to which he attached a basket, and, after bidding them "Good night, and a merry drink," retired.

No sooner had they shut the window, than he grimaced as usual towards them, and shook his fist in a sort of demoniacal exultation, muttering, "Oh, I'll have you all under my thumb yet, you fine young fools!" Meanwhile the unconscious boys had opened the basket, and spread its contents on the table.

They were, bread, a large dish of sausages, a tart, beer, and, alas! a bottle of brandy.
They soon got very noisy, and at last uproarious.