Sponge's arrival. Presently the trampling of a horse was heard passing
round to the stable. The clock then struck one.
[Illustration: GUSTAVUS JAMES IN TROUBLE]
'Pretty hour for a man to come home to a strange house!' observed Mr. Jog,
for the nurse, or Murry Ann, or Mrs. Jog, or any one that liked, to take
up.
Mrs. Jog was busy with the rhubarb and magnesia, and the others said
nothing. After the lapse of a few minutes, the clank, clank, clank of Mr.
Sponge's spurs was heard as he passed round to the front, and Mr. Jog stole
out on to the landing to hear how he would get in.
Thump! thump! thump! went Mr. Sponge at the door; rap--tap--tap he went at
it with his whip.
'Comin', sir! comin'!' exclaimed Bartholomew from the inside.
Presently the shooting of bolts, the withdrawal of bands, and the opening
of doors, were heard.
'Not gone to bed yet, old boy?' said Mr. Sponge, as he entered.
'No, thir!' snuffled the boy, who had a bad cold, 'been thitten up for
you.'
'Old puff-and-blow gone?' asked Mr. Sponge, depositing his hat and whip on
a chair.
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