tour. 279 



" Much obliged for the compliment," observed Mr. Sponge, as 

 Jogglebury fumbled and broke his nails in attempting to get a card 

 out. 



" Do you stay long in this part of the world ? " asked he, as at 

 last he succeeded, and commenced tapping the corners of the card on 

 the table. 



" I really don't know," replied Mr. Sponge, as the particulars of his 

 situation flashed across his mind. Could this pudding-headed man 

 be a chap Puffington had got to come and sound him, thought he. 



Jogglebury sat silent for a time, examining his feet attentively as 

 if to see they were pairs, and scrutinising the bags of his cinnamon- 

 coloured trousers. 



" I was goiDg to say (hem — cough — hem)," at length observed he, 

 looking up ; " that's to say, I was thinking (hem — wheeze — cough — 

 hem), or rather I should say, Mrs. Jogglebury Crowdey sent me to 

 say — I mean to say," continued he, stamping one of his ponderous 

 feet against the floor as if to force out his words. " Mrs. Jogglebury 

 Crowdey and I would be glad — happy, that's to say (hem) — if you 

 would arrange (hem) to (wheeze) pay us a visit (hem)." 



" Most happy, I'm sure ! " exclaimed Mr. Sponge, jumping at the 

 offer. 



" Before you go (hem)," continued our visitor, taking up the 

 sentence where Sponge had interrupted him ; "I (hem) live about 

 nine miles (hem) from here (hem)." 



" Are there any hounds in your neighbourhood ? " asked Mr. 

 Sponge. 



" Oh, yes," replied Mr. Jogglebury, slowly; " Mr. Puffington here 

 draws up to Grreatacre Gorse within a few (puff — wheeze) miles — say, 

 three (puff) — of my (wheeze) house ; and Sir Harry Scattercash (puff) 

 hunts all the (puff — wheeze) country below, right away down to the 

 (puff — wheeze) sea." 



" Well, you're a devilish good fellow ! " exclaimed Sponge ; " and 

 I'll tell you what, as I'm sure you mean what you say, I'll take you 

 at your word and go at once ; and that'll give our friend here time 

 to come round." 



" Oh, but, (puff — wheeze — gasp)," started Mr. Jogglebury, the 

 blood rushing to his great yellow, whiskerless cheeks, " I'm not quite 

 (gasp) sure that Mrs. (gasp) Jogglebury (puff) Crowdey would be 

 (pufl* — wheeze — gasp) prepared." 



" Oh, hang preparation ! " interrupted Mr. Sponge. " I'll take 

 you as you are. Never mind me. I hate being made company of. 

 Just treat me like one of yourselves ; toad-in-the-hole, dog-in-the- 

 blanket, beef-steaks and oyster sauce, rabbits and onions — anything ; 

 nothing comes amiss to me." 



So saying, and while Jogglebury sat purple and unable to articu- 

 late, Mr. SpoDge applied his hand to the ivory bell-knob and sounded 



