Till recently tea had been Timmy's last meal, though, as a matter of fact, he had nearly always joined in their very simple evening meal.

And lately it had been ordained that he was to eat meat.

But much as he ate, he never grew fat.
"Hurry up!" said Betty absently.

"I want to take off the table-cloth.

We can wash up presently." Timmy got up and shook himself; then he went across to the window, Flick following him, while Betty after having made two tray journeys into the kitchen, folded up the table-cloth.