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Facey Romford at Home We will now suppose our distinguished Sponge entering the village, or what the natives call the town of Washingforde, towards the close of a short December day, on his arrival from Mr Jogs. What sort of stables are there? asked he, reining up his hack, as he encountered the brandy-nosed Leather airing himself on the main street. Stables be good enough -- forage, too, replied the stud groom -- per--wided you likes the sittivation. Oh, the sittivation ll be good enough, retorted Sponge, thinking that, groom-like, Leather was grumbling because he hadnt got the best stables. Well, sir, as you please, replied the man. Why, where are they? asked Sponge, seeing there was more in Leathers manner than met the eye. Rose and Crown! replied Leather, with an emphasis. Rose and Crown! exclaimed Sponge, starting in his saddle; Rose and Crown! Why Im going to stay with Mr Romford! So he said, replied Leather; so he said. I met him as I comd in with the osses, and said he to me, said he, Youll find captle quarters at the Crown! The deuce! exclaimed Mr Sponge, dropping the reins on his hacks neck; the deuce! repeated he with a look of disgust. Why, where does he live? Bove the saddlers, thonder, replied Leather, nodding to a small bow-windowed white house a little lower down, with the gilt-lettered words: overend saddler and harness-maker to the queenabove a very meagrely stocked shop. The devil! replied Mr Sponge, boiling up, as he eyed the cottage-like dimensions of the place. The dialogue was interrupted by a sledge-hammer-like blow on Sponges back, followed by such a proffered hand as could proceed from none but his host. Glad to see ye! exclaimed Facey, swinging Sponges arm to and fro. Get off! continued he, half dragging him down, and lets go in; for its beastly cold, and dinnerll be ready in no time! So saying, he led the captive Sponge down the street, like a prisoner, by the arm, and, opening the thin house-door, pushed him up a very straight staircase into a little low cabin-like room, hung with boxing- gloves, foils, and pictures of fighters and ballet girls. Glad to see ye! again said Facey, poking the diminutive fire. Axed Nosey Nickel and Gutty Weazel to meet you, continued he, looking at the little dinner-for-two table; but Noseys gone wrong in a tooth, and Guttys away sweetheartin. However, well be very cosy and jolly together; and if you want to wash your hands, or anything afore dinner, Ill show you your bedroom, continued he, backing Sponge across the staircase landing to where a couple of little black doors opened into rooms, formed by dividing what had been the duplicate of the sitting-room into two. There! exclaimed Facey, pointing to Sponges portmanteau and bag, standing midway between the window and door: There! there are your traps. Yonders the washhand-stand. You can put your shavin things on the chair below the lookin glass gainst the wall, pointing to a fragment of glass nailed against |
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