Mr.
Sponge, however, did not care for their company.
Having travelled musingly along two or three miles of road, now thinking
over the glorious run--now of the gallant way in which Hercules had carried
him--now of the pity it was that there was nobody there to see--now of the
encounter with Lord Scamperdale, just as he passed a well-filled stackyard,
that had shut out the view of a flaming red brick house with a pea-green
door and windows, an outburst of 'hoo-rays!' followed by one cheer
more--'hoo-ray!' made the remaining wild hounds prick up their ears, and
our friend rein in his horse, to hear what was 'up.' A bright fire in a
room on the right of the door overpowered the clouds of tobacco-smoke with
which the room was enveloped, and revealed sundry scarlet coats in the full
glow of joyous hilarity. It was Sir Harry and friends recruiting at Fanner
Peastraw's after their exertions; for, though they could not make much of
hunting, they were always ready to drink. They were having a rare
set-to--rashers of bacon, wedges of cheese, with oceans of malt-liquor.
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