CHAPTER LXI
NONSUCH HOUSE AGAIN
'MR. SPONGE, MY LADY'
he 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.