mr. sponge's sporting tour. 157 



was seen. His conversation consisted principally of coughing. 

 "Hem!" — cough — "yes, mum," — hem — cough, cough — "the day," 

 — hem — cough — " mum, is " — hem — cough — " very," — hem — cough 

 — "mum, cold." But we will introduce him to our family circle. 



" Mr. Spraggon ! " exclaimed Spigot, in a tone equal to the one 

 in which Jack had announced himself in the entrance ; and forth- 

 with there was such a stir in the twilit apartment — such suppressed 

 exclamations of — 



" Mr. Spraggon ! — Mr. Spraggon ! What can bring him here ? " 



Our traveller's creaking boots and radiant leathers eclipsing the 

 sombre hibiliments of Mr. Spigot, Mrs. Jawleycourt quickly rose 

 from her Pembroke writing-desk, and proceeded to greet him. 



" My daughters I think you know, Mr. Spraggon ; also Mr. 

 Sponge ? Mr. Spraggon," continued she, with a wave of her hand to 

 where our hero was ensconced in his form, in case they should not 

 have made each other's speaking acquaintance. 



The young ladies rose, and curtsied prettily ; while Mr. Sponge 

 gave a sort of backward hitch of his head as he sat in his chair, as 

 much as to say, " I know as much of Mr. Spraggon as I want." 



" Tell your master Mr. Spraggon is here," added Mrs. Jawleyford 

 to Spigot, as that worthy was leaving the room. " It's a cold day, 

 Mr. Spraggon ; won't you come near the fire ? " continued Mrs. Jaw- 

 leyford, addressing our friend, who had come to a full stop just under 

 the chandelier in the centre of the room. 



" Hem — cough — hem — thank ye, mum," muttered Jack. " I'm 

 not — hem — cough — cold, thank ye, mum." His face and hands were 

 purple notwithstanding. 



° How is my Lord Scamperdale ? " asked Amelia, who had a 

 strong inclination to keep in with all parties. 



" Hem — cough — hem — my lord — that's to say, my lady — hem 

 cough — I mean to say — my lord's pretty well, thank ye," stuttered 

 Jack. 



" Is he coming ? " asked Amelia. 



" Hem — cough — hem — my lord's — hem — not well — cough — no — 

 hem — I mean to say — hem — cough — my lord's gone — hem — to dine — 

 cough — hem — with his — cough — friend Lord Bubbley Jock — hem — 

 cough — I mean Barker — cough." 



Jack and Lord Scamperdale were so in the habit of calling his 

 lordship by this nickname, that Jack let it slip, or rather cough out, 

 inadvertently. 



In due time Spigot returned, with " Master's compliments, and he 

 was very sorry, but he was so unwell that he was quite unable to see 

 any one." 



" Oh, dear ! " exclaimed Mrs. Jawleyford. 



" Poor pa ! " lisped Amelia. 



" What a pitv ! " observed Mr. Sponge. 



