222 MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 



" Well, that's good," said his lordship, as he read the letter ; 

 "that's good,'" repeated he, with a hearty slap of his thigh. " Jaw's 

 not such a bad chap after all ; worse chaps in the world than 

 Jaw." And his lordship worked away at the point till he very 

 nearly got him up to be a good chap. 



They say it never rains but it pours, and letters seldom come 

 singly, at least if they do, they are quickly followed by others. 



As Jack and his lordship were discussing their gin, after a 

 repast of cow-heel and batter-pudding, Baggs entered with the old 

 brown weather-bleached letter-bag, containing a county paper, the 

 second-hand copy of Bell's Life, that his lordship and Frostyface 

 took in between them, and a very natty " thick cream-laid " paper 

 note. 



" That must be from a woman," observed Jack, squinting ar- 

 dently at the writing, as his lordship inspected the fine seal. 



" Not far wrong," replied his lordship. " From a bitch of a 

 fellow, at all events," said he, reading the words " Hanby House " 

 in the wax. 



" What can old Puffey be wanting now ? " inquired Jack. 



" Some bother about hounds, most likely," replied his lordship, 

 breaking the seal, adding, the thing's always amusing itself with 

 playing at sportsman. Hang his impudence ! " exclaimed his 

 lordship, as he opened the note. 



" What's happened now ? " asked Jack. 



" How d'ye think he begins ? " asked his lordship, looking at 

 his friend. 



" Can't tell, I'm sure," said Jack, squinting his eyes inside out. 



" Dear Scamp ! " exclaimed his lordship, throwing out his arms. 



" Dear Scamp ! " repeated Jack in astonishment. " It must be 

 a mistake. It must be dear Frost, not dear Scamp." 



" Dear Scamp is the word," replied his lordship, again applying 

 himself to the letter. " Dear Scamp," repeated he, with a snort, 

 adding, " the impudent button-maker ! I'll dear Scamp him ! 

 ' Dear Scamp, our friend Sponge ! ' Bo-o-y the powers, just fancy 

 that ! " exclaimed his lordship, throwing himself back in his chair, 

 as if thoroughly overcome with disgust. " Our friend Sponge ! 

 the man who nearly knocked me into the middle of the week after 

 next — the man who, first and last, has broken every bone in my 

 skin — the man who I hate the sight of, and detest afresh every 

 time I see — the 'bomination of all 'Dominations ; and then to call 

 him our friend Sponge ! ' Our friend Sponge,' " continued his 

 lordship, reading, " ' is coming on a visit of inspection to my 

 hounds, and I should be glad if you would meet him.' " 



" Shouldn't wonder ! " exclaimed Jack. 



" Meet him ! " snapped his lordship ; " I'd go ten miles to avoid 

 him." 





