initiatory trial in writing the word 'Sponge.'

'Curse the pens!' exclaimed he, throwing the last bright crisp yellow thing
from him in disgust. 'There's not one among 'em that can go!--all reg'larly
stumped up.'

'Haven't you a penknife?' asked Jack, taking the cigar out of his mouth.

'Not I,' replied Sponge.

'Take a razor, then,' said Jack, who was good at an expedient.

'I'll take one of yours,' said Sponge, going into the dressing-room for
one. 'Hang it, but you're rather too sharp,' exclaimed Jack, with a shake
of his head.

'It's more than your razor 'll be when I'm done with it,' replied Sponge.

Having at length, with the aid of Jack's razor, succeeded in getting a pen
that would write, Mr. Sponge selected a sheet of best cream-laid satin
paper, and, taking a cane-bottomed chair, placed himself at the table in an
attitude for writing. Dipping the fine yellow pen in the ink, he looked in
Jack's face for an idea. Jack, who had now got well advanced in the cigar,
sat squinting through his spectacles at our scribe, though apparently
looking at the top of the bed.

'Well?' said Sponge, with a look of inquiry.

'Well,' replied Jack, in a tone of indifference.

'How shall I begin?' asked Sponge, twirling the pen between his fingers,
and spluttering the ink over the paper.

'Begin!' replied Jack, 'begin, oh, begin, just as you usually begin.'

'As a letter?' asked Sponge.

'I 'spose so,' replied Jack; 'how would you think?'

'Oh, I don't know,' replied Sponge. 'Will _you_ try your hand?' added he,
holding out the pen.

'Why, I'm busy just now, you see,' said he, pointing to his cigar, 'and
that horse of yours' (Jack had ridden the redoubtable chestnut,
Multum-in-Parvo, who had gone very well in the company of Hercules) pulled
so confoundedly that I've almost lost the use of my fingers,' continued he,
working away as if he had got the cramp in both hands; 'but I'll prompt
you,' added he, 'I'll prompt you.'

'Why don't you begin then?' asked Sponge.

'Begin!' exclaimed Jack, taking the cigar from his lips; 'begin!' repeated
he, 'oh, I'll begin directly--didn't know you were ready.'

Jack then threw himself back in his chair, and sticking out his little
bandy legs, turned the whites of his eyes up to the ceiling, as if lost in
meditation.

'Begin,' said he, after a pause, 'begin, "This splendid pack had a stunning
run."'

'But we must put _what_ pack first,' observed Sponge, writing the words
'M