We mentioned the delight infused into Jawleyford Court by the receipt of Lord Scamperdale’s letter, volunteering a visit, nor was his lordship less gratified at hearing in reply that Mr Sponge was on the eve of departure, leaving the coast clear for his reception. His lordship was not only delighted at getting rid of his horror, but at proving the superiority of his judgement over that of Jack, who had always stoutly maintained that the only way to get rid of Mr Sponge was by buying his horses.
‘Well, that’s good,’ said his lordship, as he read the letter; ‘that’s good,’ repeated he, with a hearty slap of his thigh. ‘Jaw’s not such a bad chap after all, worse chaps in the world than Jaw.’ And his lordship worked away at the point till he very nearly got him up to be a good chap.
They say it never rains but it pours, and letters seldom come singly, at least if they do, they are quickly followed by others.
As Jack and his lordship were discussing their gin, after a repast of cow-heel and batter-pudding, Baggs entered with the old brown weather-bleached letter-bag, containing a county paper, the secondhand copy of Bell’s Life, that his lordship and Frostyface took in between them, and a very natty ‘thick cream- laid’ paper note.
‘That must be from a woman,’ observed Jack, squinting ardently at the writing, as his lordship inspected the fine seal.
‘Not far wrong,’ replied his lordship. ‘From a bitch of a fellow, at all events,’ said he, reading the words ‘Hanby House’ in the wax.
‘What can old Puffey be wanting now?’ enquired Jack.
‘Some bother about hounds, most likely,’ replied his lordship, breaking the seal, adding, the thing’s always amusing itself with playing at sportsman. Hang his impudence!’ exclaimed his lordship, as he opened the note.
‘What’s happened now?’ asked Jack
‘How d’ye think he begins?’ asked his lordship, looking at his friend.
‘Can’t tell, I’m sure,’ said Jack, squinting his eyes inside out.
‘Dear Scamp!’ exclaimed his lordship, throwing out his arms.
‘Dear Scamp!’ repeated Jack in astonishment. ‘It must be a mistake. It must be dear Frost, not dear Scamp.’
‘Dear Scamp is the word,’ replied his lordship, again applying himself to the letter. ‘Dear Scamp,’ repeated he, with a snort, adding, ‘the impudent button-maker! I’ll dear Scamp him! ‘‘Dear Scamp, our friend Sponge!’’ Bo--o--y the powers, just fancy that!’ exclaimed his lordship, throwing himself back in his chair, as if thoroughly overcome with disgust. ‘Our friend Sponge! the man who nearly knocked me into the middle of the week after next -- the man who, first and last, has broken every bone in my skin -- the man who I hate the sight of, and detest afresh every time I see -- the ’bomination of all ’bominations; and then to call him our friend Sponge! ‘‘Our friend Sponge,’’ ’ continued his lordship, reading, ‘ ‘‘is coming on a visit of inspection to my hounds, and I should be glad if you would meet him.’’ ’
‘Shouldn’t wonder!’ exclaimed Jack.
‘Meet him!’ snapped his lordship; ‘I’d go ten miles to avoid him.’
‘ ‘‘Glad if you would meet him,’’ ’ repeated his lordship, returning to the letter, and reading as follows: ‘ ‘‘If you bring a couple of nags or so we can put them up, and you may get a wrinkle or two from Bragg.’’