'Is he coming?' asked Amelia.
'Hem--cough--hem--my lord's--hem--not well--cough--no--hem--I mean to
say--hem--cough--my lord's gone--hem--to dine--cough--hem--with
his--cough--friend Lord Bubbley Jock--hem--cough--I mean Barker--cough.'
Jack and Lord Scamperdale were so in the habit of calling his lordship by
this nickname, that Jack let it slip, or rather cough out, inadvertently.
In due time Spigot returned, with 'Master's compliments, and he was very
sorry, but he was so unwell that he was quite unable to see any one.'
'Oh, dear!' exclaimed Mrs. Jawleyford.
'Poor pa!' lisped Amelia.
'What a pity!' observed Mr. Sponge.
'I must go and see him,' observed Mrs. Jawleyford, hurrying off.
'Hem--cough--hem--hope he's not much--hem--damaged?' observed Jack.
The old lady being thus got rid of, and Jawleyford disposed of--apparently
for the night--Mr. Spraggon felt more comfortable, and presently yielded to
Amelia's entreaties to come near the fire and thaw himself. Spigot brought
candles, and Mr. Sponge sat moodily in his chair, alternately studying
_Mogg's Cab Fares_--'Old Bailey, Newgate Street, to or from the Adelphi,
the Terrace, 1_s.
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