An opened tin of ham paste was put before her. Mavis noticed that the other girls were looking at her out of the corners of their eyes.
She put some of the paste on to her plate; it looked unusual, even for potted meat; but ascribing its appearance to the effect of the light, Mavis spread some on a bit of bread and put this in her mouth. Only for a moment; the next, she had removed it with her handkerchief. One of the girls tittered. Miss Striem looked sharply in this person's direction.
"I can't eat this: it's bad!" cried Mavis.
"Perhaps you would prefer a thardine."
"Anything, so long as it's fit to eat."
Some of the girls raised their eyebrows at this remark. All of them were more or less frightened of Miss Striem, the housekeeper.
An opened tin of sardines was set before Mavis. She had only to glance inside to see that its contents were mildewed.
"Thanks," she said, pushing the tin away.
"I beg your pardon," remarked Miss Striem severely.
"They're bad too. I'm not going to eat them."