Sponge, in the joy of his heart, actually gave the
lad a shilling! He now felt like a new man. He didn't care a rap for Facey,
and, ordering Leather to give him the hack and follow with the hunters, he
presently cantered out of town as sprucely as if all was on the square.
When, however, Facey found how matters stood, he determined to stop
Sponge's things, which Leather resisted; and, Facey showing fight, Leather
butted him with his head, sending him backwards downstairs and putting his
shoulder out. Leather than marched off with the kit, amid the honours of
war.
CHAPTER LXI
NONSUCH HOUSE AGAIN
[Illustration: 'MR. SPONGE, MY LADY']
The gallant inmates of Nonsuch House had resolved themselves into a
committee of speculation, as to whether Mr. Sponge was coming or not;
indeed, they had been betting upon it, the odds at first being a hundred to
one that he came, though they had fallen a point or two on the arrival of
the post without an answer.
'Well, I say Mr. What-d'ye-call-him--Sponge--doesn't come!' exclaimed
Captain Seedeybuck, as he lay full length, with his shaggy greasy head on
the fine rose-coloured satin sofa, and his legs cocked over the cushion.
Pages:
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850