MR. sponge's SPORTING TOUR. 377 



hunting feeling about it — light, airy, ringy, anything but cheery for 

 hunting. 



Thus it was in Sir Harry Scattercash's county. Having smoked 

 and drank the old year out, the captains and company retired to 

 their couches without thinking about hunting. Mr. Sponge, indeed, 

 was about tired of asking when the hounds would be going out. It 

 was otherwise, however, with the rising generation, who were up 

 betimes, and began pouring in upon Nonsuch House in every species 

 of garb, on every description of steed, by every line and avenue of 

 approach. 



" Halloo ! what's up now ? " exclaimed Lady Scattercash, as she 

 caught view of the first batch rounding the corner to the front of the 

 house. 



" Who have we here ? " asked Miss Glitters, as a ponderous, 

 party-coloured clown, on a great, curly-coated cart-horse, brought up 

 the rear. 



" Early callers," observed Captain Seedeybuck, eating away com- 

 placently. 



" Friends of Mr. Sponge's, most likely," suggested Captain Quod. 



" Some of the little Sponges come to see their pa, p'raps," lisped 

 Miss Howard, pretending to be shocked after she had said it. 



" Bravo, Miss Howard ! " exclaimed Captain Cutitfat, clapping 

 his hands. 



" / said nothing, captain," observed the young lady with becom- 

 ing prudery. 



" JPLere we are again ! " exclaimed Captain Quod, as a troop of 

 various-sized urchins, in pea-jackets, with blue noses and red com- 

 forters, on very shaggy ponies, the two youngest swinging in panniers 

 over an ass, drew up alongside of the first comers. 



"jWhose sliding-scale of innocence is that, I wonder," exclaimed 

 Miss Howard, contemplating the variously sized chubby faces through 

 the window. 



" He, he, he ! ho, ho, ho ! " giggled the guests. 



Another batch of innocence now hove in sight. 



" Oh, those are the little (hiccup) Raws," observed Sir Harry, 

 catching sight of the sky-blue collar of the servant's long drab coat. 

 " Good chap, old Johnny Raw ; ask them to (hiccup) in," continued 

 he, "and give them some (hiccup) cherry brandy ; " and thereupon 

 Sir Harry began nodding and smiling, and making signs _ to them to 

 come in. The youngsters, however, maintained their position. 



"The little stupexes!" exclaimed Miss Howard, going to the 

 window, and throwing up the sash. " Come in, young gents !" cried 

 she, in a commanding tone, addressing herself to the last comers. 

 " Come in, and have some toffy and lollypops ! D'ye hear?" con- 

 tinued she, in a still louder voice, and motioning her head towards 

 the door. 



