Sponge.
'Why not?' repeated the woman; 'why, 'cause Mr. Bottleends won't be
disturbed by no one. He said when he went to bed that he hadn't to be
called till to-morrow.'
'Not called till to-morrow!' exclaimed Mr. Sponge; 'then is Sir Harry from
home?'
'From home, no; what should put that i' your head?' sneered the woman.
'Why, if the butler's in bed, one may suppose the master's away.'
'Hout!' snapped the woman; 'Sir Harry's i' bed--Captin Seedeybuck's i'
bed--Captin Quod's i' bed--Captin Spangle's i' bed--Captin Bouncey's i'
bed--Captin Cutitfat's i' bed--they're all i' bed 'cept me, and I've got
the house to clean and right, and high time it was cleaned and righted, for
they've not been i' bed these three nights any on 'em.' So saying, she
flourished her duster as if about to set-to again.
'Well, but tell me,' exclaimed Mr. Sponge, 'can I see the footman, or the
huntsman, or the groom, or a helper, or anybody?'
'Deary knows,' replied the woman thoughtfully, resting her chin on her
hand. 'I dare say they'll be all i' bed too.
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