120 mr. sponge's sporting tour. 



his red fists, Jawleyford having stood at "attention" for such time 

 as he thought Mrs. Foozle would be occupied before the glass in 

 his study arranging her head-gear, and seeing no symptoms of any 

 further announcement, at last asked Foozle if his papa and mamma 

 were not coining. 



" No, my papa and mamma are riot coming," replied he. 



" Are you sure ? " asked Jawleyford, in a tone of excitement. 



11 Quite sure," replied Foozle, in the most matter-of-course voice. 



" The deuce !" exclaimed Jawleyford, stamping his foot upon the 

 soft rug ; adding, " It never rains but it pours ! " 



" Have you any note, or anything?" asked Mrs. Jawleyford, who 

 had followed Robert Foozle into the room. 



" Yes, I have a note," replied he, diving into the inner pocket of 

 his coat, and producing one. 



The note was a letter — a letter from Mrs. Foozle to Mrs. Jaw- 

 leyford, three sides and crossed ; and seeing the magnitude thereof, 

 Mrs. Jawleyford quietly put it into her reticule, observing " that she 

 hoped Mr. and Mrs. Foozle were well ? " 



" Yes, they are well," replied Robert, notwithstanding he had 

 express orders to say that his papa had the tooth-ache, and his 

 mamma the ear-ache. , 



Jawleyford then gave a furious ring at the bell for dinner, and in 

 due course of time the party of six proceeded to a table for twelve. 

 Sponge pawned Mrs. Jawleyford off upon Robert Foozle, which gave 

 Sponge the right to the fair Amelia, who walked off on his arm with 

 a toss of her head at Emily, as though she thought him the finest, 

 sprightliest man under the sun. Emily followed, and Jawleyford 

 came sulking in alone, sore put out at the failure of what he meant 

 for the grand entertainment. 



Lights blazed in profusion ; lamps more accustomed had now 

 become better behaved; and the whole strength of the plate was 

 called in requisition, sadly puzzling the unfortunate cook to find 

 something to put upon the dishes. She, however, was a real magnan- 

 imous-minded woman, who would undertake to cook a lord mayor's 

 feast — soups, sweets, joints, entrees, and all. 



Jawleyford was nearly silent during the dinner ; indeed, he was 

 too far off for conversation, had there been any for him to join in ; 

 which was not the case, for Amelia and Sponge kept up a hum of 

 words, while Emily worked Robert Foozle with question and answer, 

 such as 



" Were your sisters out to-day ? " 

 " Yes, my sisters were out to-day." 

 " Are your sisters going to the Christmas ball ? " 

 " Yes, my sisters are going to the Christmas ball," &c. &c. 

 St.ll nearly daft as Robert was, he was generally asked where 

 there was anything going on ; and more than one young la — bat we 

 will not tell about that, as he has nothing to do with our story. 



