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.

'Why not?' asked Miss Glitters, who was beguiling the twilight half-hour
before candles with knitting.

'Don't know,' replied Seedeybuck, twirling his moustache, 'don't know--have
a presentiment he won't.'

'Sure to come!' exclaimed Captain Bouncey, knocking the ashes off his cigar
on to the fine Tournay carpet.

'I'll lay ten to one--ten fifties to one--he does,--a thousand to ten if
you like.' If all the purses in the house had been clubbed together, we
don't believe they would have raised fifty pounds.

'What sort of a looking man is he?' asked Miss Glitters, now counting her
loops.

'Oh--whoy--ha--hem--haw--he's just an ordinary sort of lookin' man--nothin'
'tickler any way,' drawled Captain Seedeybuck, now wetting and twirling his
moustache.

'Two legs, a head, a back, and so on, I presume,' observed the lady.

'Just so,' assented Captain Seedeybuck.

'He's a horsey-lookin' sort o' man, I should say,' observed Captain
Bouncey, 'walks as if he ought to be ridin'--wears vinegar tops.'

'Hate vinegar tops,' growled Seedeybuck.

Just then, in came Lady Scattercash, attended by Mr. Orlando Bugles, the
ladies' attractions having caused that distinguished performer to forfeit
his engagement at the Surrey Theatre. Captain Cutitfat, Bob Spangles, and
Sir Harry quickly followed, and the Sponge question was presently renewed.

'Who says old brown boots comes?' exclaimed Seedeybuck from the sofa.

'Who's that with his nasty nob on my fine satin sofa?' asked the lady