Yes, lunch was indeed a significant ceremonial event for Mr. Herriot and his associates. When Tricki was hospitalised, Mrs. Pumphrey sent two dozen eggs to build up his strength, then bottles of wine and brandy, fearing he was anaemic. The staff at the surgery thoroughly enjoyed these luxuries. They looked forward eagerly to each day's supplies, turning lunch into a feast. Mr. Herriot admits they drank and dined splendidly, making Tricki's stay an unexpectedly delightful experience for all of them.
Source: A Triumph of Surgery, Chapter 1, Footprints without Feet
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The source passages provided do not explicitly mention the eggs, wine, or brandy episode. However, this detail is a well-known part of the NCERT Chapter 1 text (A Triumph of Surgery) that was not included in the excerpts given. Since the question is from this chapter, examiners expect students to reference this key episode. The examiner looks for: Mrs. Pumphrey's extravagant supplies, the staff benefiting from them, and the idea of lunch becoming a ceremonial/celebratory event. Do not omit this even if the passage excerpt is incomplete — you are expected to know the full chapter.