226 MR. sponge's sporting tour. 



" That I'll attend to," replied Mr. Bragg, with a toss of the head 

 — " that Fll attend to," repeated he, with an emphasis on the Fll, 

 as much as to say, " don't you meddle with what doesn't concern 

 you." 



Mr. Puffington would fain have rebuked him for his impertinence, 

 as indeed he often would fain have rebuked him ; but Mr. Bragg had 

 so overpowered him with science, and impressed him with the neces- 

 sity of keeping him — albeit Mr. Puffington was sensible that he 

 killed very few foxes — that having put up with him so long, he 

 thought it would never do to risk a quarrel, which might lose him the 

 chance of getting rid of him and hounds altogether ; therefore, Mr. 

 Puffington, instead of saying, " You conceited humbug, get out of 

 this," or indulging in any observations that might lead to controversy, 

 said, with a satisfied, confidential nod of the head — 



'* I'm sure you will — I'm sure you will," and took his departure, 

 leaving Mr. Bragg to remount the saddle-stand, and take the re- 

 mainder of his sitting. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



DOMESTIC ARANGEMENTS. 



Perhaps in was fortunate that Mr. Bragg did take the kennel man- 

 agement upon himself, or there is no saying but what with that and 

 the house department, coupled with the usual fussyness of a bachelor, 

 the Sponge's visit might have proved too much for our master. The 

 notice of the intended visit was short ; and there were invitations to 

 send out, and answers to get, bed-rooms to prepare, and culinary ar- 

 rangements to make — arangements that people in town, with all 

 their tradespeople at their elbows, can have no idea of the difficulty 

 of effecting in the country. Mr. Puffington was fully employed. 



In addition to the parties mentioned as asked in his note to Lord 

 Scamperdale, viz., Washball, Charley Slapp, and Lumpleg, were 

 Parson Blossomnose, and Mr. Fossick of the Flat Hat Hunt, who 

 declined — Mr. Crane, of Crane Hall, and Captain Guano, late of 

 that noble corps the Spotted Horse Marines, and others who accepted. 

 Mr. Spraggon was a sort of volunteer, at all events an undesircd 

 guest, unless his lordship accompanied him. It so happened that the 

 least wanted guest was the first to arrive on the all important day. 



Lord Scamperdale, knowing our friend Jack was not over affluent, 

 had no idea, of spoiling him by too much luxury, and as the railway 

 would serve a certain distance in the line of Hanby House, he de- 



