MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 



377 



The truth was, Mr. Sponge did not much like the aspect of 

 affairs. Sir Harry's was evidently a desperately " fast " house ; 

 added to which, the guests by whom he was surrounded were 

 clearly of the wide-awake order, who could not spare any pickings 

 for a stranger. Indeed, Mr. Sponge felt that they rather cold- 

 shouldered him at Farmer Peastraw's, and were in a greater hurry 

 to be off when the drag came, than the mere difference between 

 inside and outside seats required. He much questioned whether 

 he got into Sir Harry's at all. If it came to a vote, he thought 

 he should not. Then, what was he to do ? Old Jog was clearly 

 tired of him ; and he had nowhere else to go to. The thought 

 made him stick spurs into the chestnut, and hurry home to 

 Puddingpote Bower, where he endeavoured to soothe his host by 

 more than insinuating that he was going on a visit to Nonsuch 

 House. Jog inwardly prayed that he might. 



CHAPTER LIL 



THE DEBATE. 



IT was just as Mr. Sponge predicted 

 with regard to his admission to Non- 

 such House. The first person who 

 spied his note to Sir Harry Scattercash, 

 was Captain Seedeybuck, who, going 

 into the drawing-room, the day after 

 Mr. Sponge's visit, to look for the top 

 of his cigar-case, saw it occupying the 

 centre of the mantel-piece. Having 

 mastered its contents, the Captain 

 5 C refolded and placed it where he found 

 it, with the simple observation to 

 himself of — " that cock won't fight." 



Captain Quod saw it next, then 

 Captain Bouncey, who told Captain 

 Cutitfat what was in it, who agreed 

 with Bouncey that it wouldn't do to 

 have Mr. Sponge there. 



Indeed, it seemed agreed on all 

 hands that their party rather wanted 

 weeding than increasing. 



Thus, in due time, everybody in the 

 house knew the contents of the note save Sir Harry, though none 

 of them thought it worth while telling him of it. On the third 



SIR HARRY OF NciN.sii II llcirsi'. 



