254 mr. sponge's sporting tour. 



Plummey stood, handle in hand, to announce the names of the guests. 

 Our friends, having the entree, of course passed in as at home, and 

 mingled with the comers and stayers. Guest after guest quickly 

 followed, almost all making the same observation, namely, that it was 

 a fine day for the time of year, and then each sidled off, rubbing his 

 hands, to the fire. Captain Guano monopolised about one-half of it, 

 like a Colossus of Rh ides, with a coat-lap under each arm. He 

 seemed to think that, being a stayer, he had more right to the fire 

 than the mere diners. 



Mr. Pufiington moved briskly among the motley throng, now 

 expatiating on the splendour of the run, now hoping a friend was 

 hungry, asking a third after his wife, and apologising to a fourth for 

 not having called on his sister. Still his real thoughts were in the 

 kitchen, and he kept counting noses and looking anxiously at the 

 time-piece. After the door had had a longer rest than usual, Blossom- 

 nose at last cast up : " Now we're all here, surely ! " thought he 

 counting about ; " one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 

 ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, thirteen, fourteen, myself fifteen, fifteen, 

 fifteen, must be another, sixteen, eight couple asked. Oh, that 

 Pacey's wanting; always comes late, won't wait" — so saying, or 

 rather thinking, Mr. Pufiington rang the bell and ordered dinner. 

 Pacey then cast up. 



He was just the sort of swaggering youth that Jack had de- 

 scribed ; a youth who thought money would do everything in the 

 world — make him a gentleman, in short. He came rolling into the 

 room, grinning as if he had done something fine in being late. He 

 had both his great red hands in his tight trouser pockets, and drew 

 the right one out to favour. his friends with it " all hot." 



" I'm late, I guess," said he, grinning round at the assembled 

 guests, now dispersed in the various attitudes of expectant eaters, 

 some standing ready for a start, some half sitting on tables and sofa- 

 ends, others resigning themselves complacently to their chairs, 

 abusing Mr. Pacey and all dinner delayers. 



" I'm late, I guess," repeated he, as he now got navigated up to 

 his host and held out his hand. 



" never mind," replied Pufiington, accepting as little of the 

 proffered paw as he could; "never mind," repeated he, adding, as he 

 looked at the French clock on the mantel-piece now chiming a quarter 

 past six, "I dare say I told you we dined at half-past-five." 



" Dare say you did, old boy," replied Pacey, kicking out his legs, 

 and giving Pufiington what he meant for a friendly poke in the 

 stomach, but which in reality nearly knocked his wind out; "dare 

 say you did, old boy, but so you did last time, if you remember, and 

 deuce a bite did I get before six ; so I thought I'd be quits with you 

 this — he — he — he — haw — haw — haw," grinning and staring about as 

 if he had done something very clever. 



