MR. sponge's sporting tour. 225 



swell huntsman, Mr. Bragg, full fig, in Lis cap, best scarlet and 

 loathers, astride of a saddle-stand, sitting for his portrait ! 



" dim it ! " exclaimed Bragg, clasping the front of the stand 

 as if it was a horse, and throwing himself off, an operation that had 

 the effect of bringing the new saddle on which he was seated bang on 

 the floor. " 0, sc-e-e-use me, sir," seeing it was his master, " I 

 thought it was my servant ; this, sir," continued he, blushing and 

 looking as foolish as men do when caught getting their hair curled 

 or sitting for their portraits — " this, sir, is my friend, Mr. Ruddle, 

 the painter, sir — yes, sir — very talented young man, sir, — asked me 

 to sit for my portrait, sir — is going, to publish a series of portraits of 

 all the best huntsmen in England, sir." 



" And masters of hounds," interposed Mr. Ruddle, casting a 

 sheep's eye at Mr. Puffington. 



"And masters of hounds, sir," repeated Mr. Bragg; "yes, sir, 

 and masters of hounds, sir; " Mr. Bragg being still somewhat flurried 

 at the unexpected intrusion. 



" Ah, well," interrupted Mr. Puffington, who was still eager about 

 his mission, " we'll talk about that after. At present I am come to 

 tell you," continued he, holding up Mr. Sponge's note, " that we 

 must brush up a little — going to have a visit of inspection from the 

 great Mr. Sponge." 



" Indeed, sir ! " replied Mr. Bragg, with the slightest possible 

 touch of his cap, which he still kept on. " Mr. Sponge, sir ! — in- 

 deed, sir, Mr. Sponge, sir — pray who may he be, sir ? " 



" Oh — why — hay — hum — haw — he's Mr. Sponge, you know — 

 been hunting with Lord Scamperdale, you know — great sportsman, 

 in fact — great authority, you know." 



" Indeed — great authority is he — indeed — oh — yes — thinks so 

 p'raps — sc-e-e-use me, sir, but des-ay, sir, I've forgot more, sir, than 

 Mr. Sponge ever knew, sir." 



" Well, but you musn't tell him so," observed Mr. Puffington, 

 fearful that Bragg might spoil sport. 



" Oh, tell him — rao," sneered Bragg, with a jerk of the head ; 

 " tell him — no ; I'm not exactly such a donkey as that ; on the con- 

 trary, I'll make things pleasant, sir — sugar his milk for him, sir, in 

 short, sir." 



" Sugar his milk ! " exclaimed Mr. Puffington, who was only a 

 matter-of-fact man ; " sugar his milk ! I dare say he takes tea." 



" Well, then, sugar his tea," replied Bragg, with a smile ; adding, 

 " Can 'commodate myself, sir, to circumstances, sir," at the same 

 time taking off his cap and setting a chair for his master. 



" Thank you, but I'm not going to stay," replied Mr. Puffington; 

 " I only came up to let you know who you had to expect, so that you 

 might prepare, you know — have all on the square, you know — best 

 horses — best hounds — best appearance in general, you know." 

 10* 



