'I can
buy cheaper than you,' they say, 'and we may as well divide the trifle
between us.'
That was Mr. Spraggon's principle, only that the word 'trifle' inadequately
conveys his opinion on the point; Jack's notion being that a man was
entitled to 5_l._ per cent. as of right, and as much more as he could get.
It was not often that Jack got a 'bite' at my lord, which, perhaps, made
him think it the more incumbent on him not to miss an opportunity. Having
been told, of course he knew exactly the style of man he had to deal with
in Mr. Sponge--a style of men of whom there is never any difficulty in
asking if they will sell their horses, price being the only consideration.
They are, indeed, a sort of unlicensed horse-dealers, from whose presence
few hunts are wholly free. Mr. Spraggon thought if he could get Sponge to
make it worth his while to get my lord to buy his horses, the--whatever he
might get--would come in very comfortably to pay his Christmas bills.
By the time the bottle drew to a close, our friends were rather better
friends, and seemed more inclined to fraternize.
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