296 MB. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 



(wheeze) respects to you," observed he, drawing a great carved 

 Indian case from his pocket, and pulling off the top with a noise 

 like the drawing of a cork. 



" Much obliged for the compliment," observed Mr. Sponge, as 

 Jogglebury fumbled and broke his nails in attempting to get a 

 card out. 



" Do you stay long in this part of the world ? " asked he, as at 

 last he succeeded, and commenced tapping the corners of the card 

 on the table. 



" I really don't know," replied Mr. Sponge, as the particulars of 

 his situation flashed across his mind. Could this pudding-headed 

 man be a chap Puffington had got to come and sound him, thought 

 he. 



Jogglebury sat silent for a time, examining his feet attentively 

 as if to see they were pairs, and scrutinising the bags of his 

 cinnamon-coloured trousers. 



" I was going to say (hem — cough — hem)," at length observed 

 he, looking up, " that's to say, I was thinking (hem — wheeze — 

 cough — hem), or rather I should say, Mrs. Jogglebury Crowdey 

 sent me to say — I mean to say," continued he, stamping one of 

 his ponderous feet against the floor as if to force out his words. 

 " Mrs. Jogglebury Crowdey and I would be glad — happy, that's to 

 sav (hem) — if you would arrange (hem) to (wheeze) pay us a visit 

 (hem)." 



"Most happy, I'm sure!" exclaimed Mr. Sponge, jumping at 

 the offer. 



" Before you go (hem)," continued our visitor, taking up the 

 sentence where Sponge had interrupted him ; " I (hem) live about 

 nine miles (hem) from here (hem)." 



" Are there any hounds in your neighbourhood ? " asked Mr. 

 Sponge. 



" Oh, yes," replied Mr. Jogglebury, slowly ; " Mr. Puffington 

 here draws up to Greatacre Gorse within a few (j uff — wheeze) 

 miles — say, three (puff) — of my (wheeze) house ; and Sir Harry 

 Scattercash (puff) hunts all the (puff — wheeze) country below, 

 right away down to the (puff — wheeze) sea." 



" Well, you're a devilish good fellow ! " exclaimed Sponge ; "and 

 I'll tell you what, as I'm sure you mean what you say, I'll take 

 you at your word and go at once ; and that'll give our friend here 

 time to come round." 



" Oh, but (puff — wheeze — gasp)," started Mr. Jogglebury, the 

 blood rushing to his great yellow, whiskerless cheeks, " I'm not 

 quite (gasp) sure that Mrs. (gasp) Jogglebury (puff) Crowdey 

 would be (puff — wheeze — gasp) prepared." 



" Oh, hang preparation ! " interrupted Mr. Sponge. " I'll take 

 you as you are. Never mind me. I hate being made company of. 



