"And I'm not explaining to his wife that I let Pen skip meals."

"Unfortunately, the people in my life know me too well. Desdemona just appreciates having backup that she didn't have when I was single. Which will mean that you will be eating if you stick with me."

Look, Caleb also seems like the sort who both will cut his food budget to buy more books, and forget when meals are served without someone reminding him. Penric knows his own.