MB. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 383 



that he paid twelve shillings for the rooms alone ; on the contrary, 

 he had a two-stalled stable, with a sort of kennel for his pointers, 

 and a sty for his pig into the bargain. This pig, which was eaten 

 many times in anticipation, had at length fallen a victim to the 

 butcher, and Facey's larder was uncommonly well found in black- 

 puddings, sausages, spareribs, and other the component parts of a 

 pig : so that he was in very hospitable circumstances, — at least, in 

 his rough and ready idea of what hospitality ought to be. Indeed, 

 whether he had or not, he'd have risked it, being quite as good at 

 carrying things off with a high hand as Mr. Sponge himself. 



The invitation came most opportunely ; for, worn out with 

 jealousy and watching, Jog had made up his mind to cut to 

 Australia, and when Sponge returned after meeting Facey, Jog was 

 in the act of combing out an advertisement, offering all that 

 desirable sporting residence called Puddingpote Bower, with the 

 coach-house, stables, and offices thereunto belonging, to let, and 

 announcing that the whole of the valuable household furniture, 

 comprising mahogany, dining, loo, card, and Pembroke tables ; 

 sofa, couch, and chairs in hair seating ; cheffonier, with plate 

 glass ; book-case ; flower-stands ; piano-forte, by Collard and 

 Collard ; music-stool and Canterbury ; chimney and pier-glasses ; 

 mirror ; ormolu time-piece ; alabaster and wax ligures and shades ; 

 China ; Brussels carpets and rugs ; fenders and fireirons ; curtains 

 and cornices ; Venetian blinds ; mahogany four-post, French, 

 and camp bedsteads ; feather beds ; hair mattresses ; mahogany 

 chests of drawers ; dressing-glasses ; wash and dressing-tables; 

 patent shower-bath ; bed and table-linen ; dinner and tea-ware ; 

 warming-pans, &c, would be exposed to immediate and unreserved 

 sale. 



How gratefully Sponge's inquiry if he knew Mr. Romford fell on 

 his ear, as they sat moodily together after dinner over some very 

 low-priced Port. 



" Oh, yes (puff) — oh, yes (wheeze) — oh, yes (gasp) ! Know 

 Charley Romford — Facey, as they call him. He's (puff, wheeze, 

 gasp), heir to old Mr. Gilroy, of Queercove Hill." 



" Just so," rejoined Sponge, — " just so ; that's the man, — stout, 

 square-built fellow, with backward-growing whiskers. I'm going 

 to stay with him to shoot at old Gils. Where does Charley live ? " 



" Live ! " exclaimed Jog, almost choked with delight at the 

 information ; " live ! live ! " repeated he, for the third time ; 

 "lives at (puff, wheeze, gasp, cough), AYashingforde — yes, at 

 Washingforde ; 'bout ten miles from (puff, wheeze) here. When 

 tVye go ? " 



" To-morrow," replied Sponge, with an air of offended dignity. 



Jog was so rejoiced that he could hardly sit on his chair. 



Mrs. Jog, when she heard it, felt that Gustavus James's chance 



