t his hand, as Spigot, having placed some bottle
ends on the table, and reduced the glare of light, was preparing to retire.
'Bring me some hot water and sugar,' said he; 'and tell Harry he will have
to go over to Lord Scamperdale's, with a note, the first thing in the
morning.'

The young ladies looked at each other, and then at mamma, who, seeing what
was wanted, looked at papa, and asked, 'if he was going to ask Lord
Scamperdale over?' Amelia, among her many 'presentiments,' had long enjoyed
one that she was destined to be Lady Scamperdale.

'No--_over_--no,' snapped Jawleyford; 'what should put that in your head?'

'Oh, I thought as Mr. Sponge was here, you might think it a good time to
ask him.'

'His lordship knows he can come when he likes,' replied Jawleyford, adding,
'it's to put that Mr. John Spraggon off, who thinks he may do the same.'

'Mr. Spraggon!' exclaimed both the young ladies. 'Mr. Spraggon!--what
should set him here?'

'What, indeed?' asked Jawleyford.

'Poor man! I dare say there's no harm in him,' observed Mrs. Jawleyford,
who was always ready for anybody.

'No good either,' replied Jawleyford--'at all events, we'll be just as well
without him. You know him, don't you?' added he, turning to Sponge--'great
coarse man in spectacles.'

'Oh yes, I know him,' replied Sponge; 'a great ruffian he is, too,' added
he.

'One ought to be in robust health to encounter such a man,' observed
Jawleyford, 'and have time to get a man or two of the same sort to meet
him. _We_ can do nothing with such a man. I can't understand how his
lordship puts up with such a fellow.'

'Finds him useful, I suppose,' observed Mr. Sponge.

Spigot presently appeared with a massive silver salver, bearing tumblers,
sugar, lemon, nutmeg, and other implements of negus.

'Will you join me in a little wine-and-water?' asked Jawleyford, pointing
to the apparatus and bottle ends, 'or will you have a fresh bottle?--plenty
in the cellar,' added he, with a flourish of his hand, though he kept
looking steadfastly at the negus-tray.

'Oh--why--I'm afraid--I doubt--I think I should hardly be able to do
justice to a bottle single-handed,' replied Sponge. 'Then have negus,'
said Jawleyford; 'you'll find it very refreshing; medical men recommend it
after violent exercise in preference to wine. But pray have wine if you
prefer it.'

'Ah--well, I'll finish off with a little negus, perhaps,' replied Sponge,
adding, 'meanwhile the la