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I think it's just possible that 'at' has been mistakenly taken to mean 'in the place of' (from the Chambers entry - 'for') rather than 'instead of'.

Also, I think STOWED would fit the definition at 28d in the sense of 'swallowed' rather than 'intoxicated' (Chambers entry - 'stow') 'to put down one's throat (joc.)'.
The wordplay is weaker - because SLO(g) is better than STO(t) for 'tramp' - but, like others, I can't find a dictionary entry giving 'slowed' for 'drunk'.

Drxx, it was 'stowed' that I was thinking of - but didn't like the 'tramp' aspect. I felt 'slowed' was slightly odd or unfair if it's not in any of the usual, dictionaries. I think I was hoping for someone to say, 'it's not in Chambers or Collins, but is in the OED.'

'At = For' is specifically mentioned in my Collins.

I've just got back and read your post malone. Thanks for guiding me to 'for' = AT, it's in my (ancient) Collins at entry 6 - I should look through that dictionary more often.

I doubt we'll ever find out the reasoning behind 28d. The published solution will provide the answer but it won't clear up the mystery (as usual!).

Thanks, Drxx. My Collins is pretty ancient, but I didn't think the 'at=for' would have been removed in later editions.

I can't imagine it's been removed in later editions malone - dictionaries only seem to get fatter over time.

Drxx in fairness we haven't approached Pab to ask - he or she may well be happy to explain if we ask nicely - shall I have a go?

Mx

Well, I reckon that these two clues are thin gruel for pabulum. Areta is such a rare name - something like 1 in 30,000.

Hi blignop, it does appear in "Some first names" section of Chambers which may justify it.

This whole thread has been helpful but parsing of some clues has been challenging. I believe that I have finished but remain uncertain about unclued 10 down. I have ?H?NE and am inclined to "shine" or "shone". The word to be shaded is very short.

Truron, it's neither of those! It begins with W. I no longer have my notes, so this is from memory - I think it comes from the version of ????with the last vowel in it....