122 MR. 



" Oh, tliat Jack Spraggon," replied Jawleyford, curling up his 

 nose, as if he was going to be sick; " one of the most odious wretches 

 under the sun. I really don't know any man that I have so great a 

 dislike to, so utter a contempt for, as that Jack, as they call him." 



" What is he ? " asked Sponge. 



" Oh, just a hanger-on of his lordship's : the creature has noth- 

 ing — nothing whatever ; he lives on my lord — eats his venison, 

 drinks his claret, rides his horses, bullies those his lordship doesn't 

 like to tackle with, and makes himself generally useful." 



" He seems a man of that sort," observed Sponge, as he thought 

 over the compliments he had received. 



" Well, who else had you out, then ? " asked Jawleyford. " Was 

 Tom Washball there ? " 



" No," replied Sponge ; " he wasn't out, I know." 



" Ah, that's unfortunate," observed Jawleyford, helping himself 

 and passing the bottle. " Tom's a capital fellow — a perfect gentle- 

 man — great friend of mine. If he'd been out you'd have had noth- 

 ing to do but mention my name, and he'd have put you all right in 

 a minute. Who else was there, then ? " continued he. 



" There was a tall man in black, on a good-looking young brown 

 horse, rather rash at his fences, but a fine style of goer." 



" What ! " exclaimed Jawleyford, " a man in drab cords and jack- 

 boots, with the brim of his hat rather turning upwards ? " 



"Just so," replied Sponge; "and a double ribbon for a hat- 

 string." 



" That's Master Blossomnose," observed Jawleyford, scarcely able 

 to contain his indignation. " That's Master Blossomnose," repeated 

 he, taking a back hand at the port in the excitement of the moment. 

 " More to his credit if he were to stay at home and attend to his 

 parish," added Jawleyford; meaning, it would have been more to 

 his credit if he had fulfilled his engagement to him that evening, in- 

 stead of going out hunting in the morning. 



The two then sat silent for a time, Sponge seeing where the sore 

 place was, and Robert Foozle, as usual, seeing nothing. 



" Ah, well," observed Jawleyford, at length breaking silence, 

 " it was unfortunate you went this morning. I did my best to pre- 

 vent you — told you what a long way it was, and so on. However, 

 never mind, we will put all right to-morrow. His lordship, I'm 

 sure, will be most happy to see you. So help yourself," continued 

 he, passing the " Wintle," "and we will drink his health, and success 

 to fox-hunting." 



Sponge filled a bumper and drank his lordship's health, with the 

 accompaniment as desired ; and turning to Robert Foozle, who was 

 doing likewise, said, " Are you fond of hunting ? " 



" Yes, I'm fond of hunting," replied Foozle. 



" But you donH hunt, you know, Robert," observed Jawleyford 





