mil sponge's SPORTING TOUR. 281 



" True, I forgot," replied Sponge, with a frown at his servant's 

 officiousness ; " however, if we can get two good stalls for the hunt- 

 ers," said he, " we'll manage the hack somehow or other." 



" Well," replied Mr. Leather, in a tone of resignation, knowing 

 how hopeless it was arguing with his master. I 



" I really think," gasped Mr. Jogglebury Crowdey, encouraged 

 by the apparent sympathy of the servant to make a last effort — " I 

 really think," repeated he, as the hashed mutton and haddocks again 

 flashed across his mind, " that my (puff — wheeze) plan is the (puff) 

 best ; let me (puff — wheeze) home and see how all (puff — wheeze) 

 things are, and then I'll write you a (puff — wheeze) line, or send a 

 (puff — wheeze) servant over." 



u Oh, no," replied Mr. Sponge — " oh, no — that's far too much 

 trouble. I'll just go over with you now and reconnoitre." 



" I'm afraid Mrs. (puff — wheeze) Crowdey will hardly be prepared 

 for (puff — wheeze) visitors," ejaculated our friend, recollecting it was 

 washing-day, and that Mary Ann would be wanted in the laundry. 



" Don't mention it ! " exclaimed Mr. Sponge ; " don't mention it. 

 I hate to be made company of. Just give me what you have your- 

 selves — just give me what you have yourselves. Where two can 

 dine, three can dine, you know." 



Mr. Jogglebury Crowdey was nonplused. 



" Well, now," said Mr. Sponge, turning again to Leather ; " just 

 go up-stairs and help me to pack up my things ; and," addressing him- 

 self to our visitor he said, " perhaps you'll amuse yourself with the 

 paper — the Post — or I'll lend you my Mogg," continued he, offering 

 the little gilt-lettered, purple-backed volume as he spoke. 



" TkamVee," replied Mr. Jogglebury, who was still tapping away 

 at the card, which he had now worked very soft. 



Mr. Sponge then left him with the volume in his hand, and pro- 

 ceeded up-stairs to his bed-room. 



In less than twenty minutes, the vehicle was got under way, Mr. 

 Jogglebury Crowdey and Mr. Sponge occupying the roomy seats in 

 front, and Bartholomew Badger, the before-mentioned tiger, and Mr. 

 Sponge's portmanteau and carpet-bag, being in the very diminutive 

 turnover seat behind. The carriage was followed by the straining 

 eyes of sundry Johns and Janes, who unanimously agreed that Mr. 

 Sponge was the meanest shabbiest gent, they had ever had in their 

 house. Mr. Leather was, therefore, roasted in the servants' hall, 

 where the sins of the masters are oft visited upon the servants. 



But to our travellers. 



Little conversation passed between our friends for the first few 

 miles, for, in addition to the road being rough, the driving-seat was 

 so high, and the other so low, that Mr. Jogglebury Crowdey's para- 

 bles broke against Mr. Sponge's hat-crown, instead of dropping into 

 his ear ; besides which, the unwilling host's mind was a good deal 



