120 MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 



drawn blank. Though they had been shot in the day before, they 

 always held a fox the next — if a fox was wanted. 



Sponge being quite at home on the subject of horses and 

 hunting, lauded all his papa-in-law's observations up to the skies ; 

 occasionally considering whether it would be advisable to sell him 

 a horse, and thinking, if he did, whether he should let him have 

 one of the three he had down, or should get old Buckram to buy 

 some quiet screw that would stand a little work and yield him 

 (Sponge) a little profit, and yet not demolish the great patron of 

 English sports. The more Jawleyford drank, the more energetic 

 he became, and the greater pleasure he anticipated from the meet 

 of the morrow. He docked the lord, and spoke of "Scamperdale" 

 as an excellent fellow — a real, good, hearty, honest Englishman — 

 a man that " the more you knew the more you liked ; " all of 

 which was very encouraging to Sponge. Spigot at length 

 appeared to read the tea and coffee riot-act, when Jawleyford, 

 determined not to be done out of another bottle pointing to the 

 nearly-emptied decanter, said to Robert Foozle, " I suppose you'll 

 not take any more wine ? " To which Robert replied, " No, I'll 

 not take any more wine." Whereupon, pushing out his chair and 

 throwing away his napkin, Jawleyford arose and led the way to 

 the drawing-room, followed by Sponge and this entertaining young 

 gentleman. 



A round game followed tea ; which, in its turn, was succeeded 

 by a massive silver tray, chiefly decorated with cold water and 

 tumblers ; and as the various independent clocks in the drawing- 

 room began chiming and striking eleven, Mr. Jawleyford thought 

 he would try to get rid of Foozle by asking him if he hadn't better 

 stay all night. 



" Yes, I think I'd better stay all night," replied Foozle. 



" But won't they be expecting you at home, Robert ? " asked 

 Jawleyford, not feeling disposed to be caught in his own trap. 



" Yes, they'll be expecting me at home," replied Foozle. 



" Then, perhaps, you had better not alarm them by staying," 

 suggested Jawleyford. 



" No, perhaps I'd better not alarm them by staying," repeated 

 Foozle. Whereupon they all rose, and wishing him a very good 

 night, Jawleyford handed him over to Spigot, who transferred him 

 to one footman, who passed him to another, to button into his 

 leather-headed shandridan. 



After talking Robert over, and expatiating on the misfortune it 

 would be to have such a boy, Jawleyford rang the bell for the 

 banquet of water to be taken away ; and ordering breakfast half- 

 an-hour earlier than usual, our friends went to bed. 



