A spot of tea was in order, with a view of the grand Reading Room a story below. I put away a pot of tea, two perfect scones with jam and clotted cream, and four cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwiches with a bit of cress and mint, all for about $17. Compared with the cost of tea at Brown's Hotel (about $64), the Ritz ($71) or the Dorchester ($58), I got off easy. Still, to justify the cost (and stay within budget), I considered this meal not an indulgent snack but a late lunch. (Sadly, the view of the Reading Room is now less than stellar as the "First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army" exhibition prepares to open in September.)