150 MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 



Jawleyford, pressing his head against his hand, as Spigot, having 

 placed some bottle ends on the table, and reduced the glare of 

 light, was preparing to retire. " Bring me some hot water and 

 sugar," said he ; " and tell Harry he will have to go over to Lord 

 Scamperdale's, with a note, the first thing in the morning." 



The young ladies looked at each other, and then at mamma, 

 who, seeing what was wanted, looked at papa, and asked " if he 

 was going to ask Lord Scamperdale over?" Amelia, among her 

 many " presentiments," had long enjoyed one that she was 

 destined to be Lady Scamperdale. 



"No — over — no," snapped Jawleyford ; "what should put that 

 in your head ? " 



" Oh, I thought as Mr. Sponge was here, you might think it a 

 good time to ask him." 



" His lordship knows he can come when he likes," replied Jaw- 

 leyford ; adding, " it's to put that Mr. John Spraggon off, who 

 thinks he may do the same." 



" Mr. Spraggon ! " exclaimed both the young ladies. " Mr. 

 Spraggon ! — Avhat should set him here ? " 



" What, indeed ? " asked Jawleyford. 



" Poor man ! I dare say there's no harm in him," observed Mrs. 

 Jawleyford, who was always ready for anybody. 



"No good either," replied Jawleyford, — "at all events, we'll be 

 just as well without him. You know him, don't you ? " added he, 

 turning to Sponge — " great coarse man in spectacles." 



" Oh yes, I know him," replied Sponge ; "a great ruffian he is, 

 too," added he. 



" One ought to be in robust health to encounter such a man," 

 observed Jawleyford, " and have time to get a man or two of the 

 same sort to meet him. We can do nothing with such a man. I 

 can't understand how his lordship puts up with such a fellow." 



" Finds him useful, I suppose," observed Mr. Sponge. 



Spigot presently appeared with a massive silver salver, bearing 

 tumblers, sugar, lemon, nutmeg, and other implements of negus. 



" Will you join me in a little winc-and-water ? " asked Jawley- 

 ford, pointing to the apparatus and bottle ends, "or will you have 

 a fresh bottle ?— plenty in the cellar," added he, with a flourish of 

 his hand, though he kept looking steadfastly at tha negus-tray. 



" Oh — why — I'm afraid — I doubt — I think I should hardly be 

 able to do justice to a bottle single-handed," replied Sponge. 



" Then have negus," said Jawleyford ; " you'll find it very 

 refreshing ; medical men recommend it after violent exercise in 

 preference to wine. But pray have wine if you prefer it." 



" Ah — well, I'll finish it off with a little negus, perhaps," replied 

 Sponge ; adding, "meanwhile the ladies, I dare say, would like a 

 little wine." 



