Thomas looked wistfully at his plate. The sooner they ate the sooner they could get back to their own business. When Tate finally made the cretins get back to their seats, Professor Duskurk was sure he would stand to make the infamous speech. But it didn't come. He waited just a moment, then stood and walked up behind the headmaster, bent at the waist, and spoke in his ear while glaring at any remaining students in front of the head table. "I believe it is customary to give a speech so that the food will appear," he whispered.