tains and company retired to their couches without
thinking about hunting. Mr. Sponge, indeed, was about tired of asking when
the hounds would be going out. It was otherwise, however, with the rising
generation, who were up betimes, and began pouring in upon Nonsuch House in
every species of garb, on every description of steed, by every line and
avenue of approach.

'Halloo! what's up now?' exclaimed Lady Scattercash, as she caught view of
the first batch rounding the corner to the front of the house.

'Who have we here?' asked Miss Glitters, as a ponderous, parti-coloured
clown, on a great, curly-coated cart-horse, brought up the rear.

'Early callers,' observed Captain Seedeybuck, eating away complacently.

'Friends of Mr. Sponge's, most likely,' suggested Captain Quod.

'Some of the little Sponges come to see their pa, p'raps,' lisped Miss
Howard, pretending to be shocked after she had said it.

'Bravo, Miss Howard!' exclaimed Captain Cutitfat, clapping his hands.

'_I_ said nothing, Captain,' observed the young lady with becoming prudery.

'Here we are again!' exclaimed Captain Quod, as a troop of various-sized
urchins, in pea-jackets, with blue noses and red comforters, on very shaggy
ponies, the two youngest swinging in panniers over an ass, drew up
alongside of the first comers.

'Whose sliding-scale of innocence is that, I wonder!' exclaimed Miss
Howard, contemplating the variously sized chubby faces through the window.

'He, he, he! ho, ho, ho!' giggled the guests.

Another batch of innocence now hove in sight.

'Oh, those are the little (hiccup) Raws,' observed Sir Harry, catching
sight of the sky-blue collar of the servant's long drab coat. 'Good chap,
old Johnny Raw; ask them to (hiccup) in,' continued he, 'and give them some
(hiccup) cherry brandy'; and thereupon Sir Harry began nodding and smiling,
and making signs to them to come in. The youngsters, however, maintained
their position.

'The little stupexes!' exclaimed Miss Howard, going to the window, and
throwing up the sash. 'Come in, young gents!' cried she, in a commanding
tone, addressing herself to the last comers. 'Come in, and have some toffy
and lollypops! D'ye hear?' continued she, in a still louder voice, and
motioning her head towards the door.

The boys sat mute.

'You little stupid monkeys,' muttered she in an undertone, as the cold air
struck upon her head. 'Come in, like good boys,' added she in a louder key,
pointing with