ea.'

'Well, then, sugar his tea,' replied Bragg, with a smile, adding, 'can
'commodate myself, sir, to circumstances, sir,' at the same time taking off
his cap and setting a chair for his master.

'Thank you, but I'm not going to stay,' replied Mr. Puffington; 'I only
came up to let you know who you had to expect, so that you might prepare,
you know--have all on the square, you know--best horses--best hounds--best
appearance in general, you know.'

'That I'll attend to,' replied Mr. Bragg, with a toss of the head--'that
_I'll_ attend to,' repeated he, with an emphasis on the _I'll_, as much as
to say, 'Don't you meddle with what doesn't concern you.'

Mr. Puffington would fain have rebuked him for his impertinence, as indeed
he often would fain have rebuked him; but Mr. Bragg had so overpowered him
with science, and impressed him with the necessity of keeping him--albeit
Mr. Puffington was sensible that he killed very few foxes--that, having put
up with him so long, he thought it would never do to risk a quarrel, which
might lose him the chance of getting rid of him and hounds altogether;
therefore, Mr. Puffington, instead of saying, 'You conceited humbug, get
out of this,' or indulging in any observations that might lead to
controversy, said, with a satisfied, confidential nod of the head:

'I'm sure you will--I'm sure you will,' and took his departure, leaving Mr.
Bragg, to remount the saddle-stand and take the remainder of his sitting.

CHAPTER XXXVII

MR. PUFFINGTON'S DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS

Perhaps it was fortunate that Mr. Bragg did take the kennel management upon
himself, or there is no saying but what with that and the house department,
coupled with the usual fussiness of a bachelor, the Sponge visit might have
proved too much for our master. The notice of the intended visit was short;
and there were invitations to send out, and answers to get, bedrooms to
prepare, and culinary arrangements to make--arrangements that people in
town, with all their tradespeople at their elbows, can have no idea of the
difficulty of effecting in the country. Mr. Puffington was fully employed.

In addition to the parties mentioned as asked in his note to Lord
Scamperdale, viz. Washball, Charley Slapp, and Lumpleg, were Parson
Blossomnose; Mr. Fossick of the Flat Hat Hunt, who declined--Mr. Crane of
Crane Hall; Captain Guano, late of that noble corps the Spotted Horse
Marines; and others who accepted. Mr. Spraggon wa