MR. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 103 



argument ; and the inmates of Jawleyford Court retired, candle in 

 hand, to their respective apartments, to adorn for a repetition of 

 the yesterday's spread, with the addition of the Rev. Mr. Hobanob's 

 company, to say grace, and praise the "Wintle." 



An appetiteless dinner was succeeded by tea and music, as 

 before. 



The three elegant French clocks in the drawing-room being at 

 variance, one being three-quarters of an hour before the slowest, 

 and twenty minutes before the next, Mr. Hobanob (much to the 

 horror of Jawleyford) having nearly fallen asleep with his Sevres 

 coffee-cup in his hand, at last drew up his great silver watch by its 

 jack-chain, and finding that it was a quarter past ten, prepared to 

 decamp — taking as affectionate a leave of the ladies as if he had 

 been going to China. He was followed by Mr. Jawleyford, to see 

 him pocket his pumps, and also by Mr. Sponge, to see what sort 

 of a night it was. 



The sky was clear, stars sparkled in the firmament, and a young 

 crescent moon shone with silvery brightness o'er the scene. 



" That'll do," said Sponge, as he eyed it ; "no haze there. Come," 

 added he to his papa-in-law, as Hobanob's steps died out on the 

 terrace, " you'd better go to-morrow." 



" Can't," replied Jawleyford ; " go nest day, perhaps — Scram- 

 bleford Green — better place — much. You may lock up," said he, 

 turning to Spigot, who, with both footmen, was in attendance to 

 see Mr. Hobanob off ; " you may lock up, and tell the cook to 

 have breakfast ready at nine precisely" 



" Oh, never mind about breakfast for me," interposed Sponge, 

 " I'll have some tea or coffee and chops, or boiled ham and eggs, 

 or whatever's going, in my bed-room," said he ; " so never mind 

 altering your hour for me." 



" Oh, but my dear fellow, we'll all breakfast together" (Jawley- 

 ford had no notion of standing two breakfasts) " we'll all break- 

 fast together," said he ; " no trouble, I assure you — rather the con- 

 trary. Say half -past eight — half-past eight, Spigot ! to a minute, 

 mind." 



And Sponge, seeing there was no help for it, bid the ladies good 

 night, and tumbled off to bed with little expectation of 

 .punctuality. 



