MR. SPOXGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 285 



He then began to read it, and the further he got the more he 

 was disgusted. At last, when he came to the " seasonal fox, which 

 some thought was a bay one," his indignation knew no bounds, 

 and crumpling the paper up in a heap he threw it from him in disgust. 

 Just then in came Plummey, the butler. Plummey saw at a glance 

 what had happened ; for Mr. Bragg, and the whips, and the 

 grooms, and the helpers, and the feeder — the whole hunting 

 establishment — were up in arms at the burlesque, and vowing 

 vengeance against the author of it. Mr. Spraggon, on seeing what 

 a mess had been made of his labours, availed himself of the offer of 

 a seat in Captain Guano's dog-cart, and was clear of the premises ; 

 while Mr. Sponge determined to profit by Spraggon's absence, and 

 lay the blame on him. 



"Oh, Plummey!" exclaimed Mr. Puffington, as his servant 

 entered, " I'm deuced unwell — quite knocked up, in short," 

 clapping his hand on his forehead ; adding, "I shall not be able to 

 dine down-stairs to-day." 



" 'Deed, sir," replied Mr. Plummey, in a tone of commiseration — 

 " 'deed, sir ; sorry to hear that, sir." 



" Are they all gone ? " asked Mr. Puffington, dropping his boiled 

 gooseberry-looking eyes upon the fine-flowered carpet. 



" All gone, sir— all gone," replied Mr. Plummey ; " all except 

 Mr. Sponge." 



" Oh, he's still here ! " replied Mr. Puffington, shuddering with 

 disgust at the recollection of the newspaper run. " Is he going to- 

 day ? " asked he. 



" No, sir — I dare say not, sir," replied Mr. Plummey. " His man 

 — his groom — his — whatever he calls him, expects they'll be 

 staying some time." 



" The deuce ! " exclaimed Mr. Puffington, whose hospitality, like 

 Jawleyford's was greater in imagination than in reality. 



" Shall I take these things away ? " asked Plummey, after a 

 pause. 



" Couldn't you manage to get him to go ?" asked Mr. Puffington, 

 still harping on his remaining guest. 



" Don't know, sir. I could try, sir — believe he's bad to move, 

 sir," replied Plummey, with a grin. 



" Is he really ? " replied Mr. Puffington, alarmed lest Sponge 

 should fasten himself upon him for good. 



" They say so," replied Mr. Plummey, ;< but I don't speak from 

 any personal knowledge, for I know nothing of the man." 



"Well," said Mr. Puffington, amused at his servant's exclusive- 

 ness, "I wish you would try to get rid of him, bow him out civilly, 

 you know — say I'm unwell — very unwell — deuced unwell — ordered 

 to keep quiet — say it as if from yourself, you know — it mustn't 

 appear as if it came from me, you know." 



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