270 



crumpling the paper up in a heap, he threw it from him in disgust. 

 Just then in came Plummey, the butler. Plummey saw at a glance 

 what had happened ; for Mr. Bragg, and the whips, and the grooms, 

 ana 1 the helpers, and the feeder — the whole hunting establishment — 

 were up in arms at the burlesque, and vowing vengeance against the 

 author of it. Mr. Spraggon, on seeing what a mess had been made 

 of Ms labours, availed himself of the offer of a seat in Captain Guano's 

 dog-cart, and was clear of the premises ; while Mr. Sponge determined 

 to profit by Spraggon's absence, and lay the blame on him. 



" Oh, Plummey ! " exclaimed Mr. Puffington, as his servant en- 

 tered, " I'm deuced unwell — quite knocked up in short," clapping his 

 hand on his forehead; adding, "I shall not be able to dine down 

 stairs to-day." 



"'Deed, sir," replied Mr. Plummey, in a tone of commiseration 

 — " 'deed, sir, sorry to hear that, sir." 



" Are they all gone ? " asked Mr. Puffington, dropping his boiled 

 gooseberry-looking eyes upon the fine-flowered carpet. 



" All gone, sir, — all gone," replied Mr. Plummey ; " all except 

 Mr. Sponge." 



" Oh, he's still here ! " replied Mr. Puffington, shuddering with 

 disgust at the recollection of the newspaper run. " Is he going to- 

 day ? " asked he. 



" No, sir — I dare say not, sir," replied Mr. Plummey. " His man 

 — his groom — his — whatever he calls him, expects they'll be stay- 

 ing some time." 



" The deuce ! " exclaimed Mr. Puffington, whose hospitality, like 

 Jawleyford's, was greater in imagination than in reality. 



" Shall I take these things away ? " asked Plummey, after a pause. 



" Couldn't you manage to get him to go ? " asked Mr. Puffington, 

 still harping on his remaining guest. 



" Don't know, sir. I could try, sir — believe he's bad to move, 

 sir," replied Plummey, with a grin. 



" Is he really ? " replied Mr. Puffington, alarmed lest Sponge 

 should fasten himself upon him for good. 



" They say so," replied Mr. Plummey, " but I don't speak from 

 any personal knowledge, for I know nothing of the man." 



" Well," said Mr. Puffington, amused at his servant's exclusive- 

 ness, " I wish you would try to get rid of him, bow him out civilly, 

 you know, — say I'm unwell — very unwell — deuced unwell — ordered 

 to keep quiet — say it as if from yourself, you know — it mustn't ap- 

 pear as if it came from me, you know." 



" In course not," replied Mr. Plummey, " in course not ;" adding, 

 " I'll do my best, sir — I'll do my best." So saying, he took up the 

 breakfast things and departed. 



Mr. Sponge regaling himself with a cigar in the stables and shrub- 

 beries, it was some time before Mr. Plummey had an opportunity of 



