there were no formal meals again , only a great deal of rushing about , as weapons were readied and polished , gear was prepared , and maps consulted while bridget , warbling mournful bal ads , carried trays of sandwiches and tea up and down the hal s. if it had n't been for sophie 's invitation to `` come and have a pickle '' tessa probably would n't have eaten anything all day ; as it was , her knotted throat would all ow only a few bites of sandwich to slide down before she felt as if she were choking .