e end of time. Moreover, no one can go on cheating in horses for any
length of time, without putting himself in the power of his groom; and let
those who have seen how servants lord it over each other say how they would
like to subject themselves to similar treatment.--But to our story.

Facey Romford had now a splendid milk-white horse, well-known in Mr.
Nobbington's and Lord Leader's hunts as Mr. Hobler, but who Facey kindly
rechristened the 'Nonpareil,' which the now rising price of oats, and
falling state of his finances, made him particularly anxious to get rid of,
ere the horse performed the equestrian feat of 'eating its head off.' He
was a very hunter-like looking horse, but his misfortune consisted in
having such shocking seedy toes, that he couldn't keep his shoes on. If he
got through the first field with them on, they were sure to be off at the
fence. This horse Facey voted to be the very thing for Mr. Sponge, and
hearing that he had come into the country to hunt, it occurred to him that
it would be a capital thing if he could get him to take Mother Overend's
spare bed and lodge with him, twelve shillings a week being more than Facey
liked paying for his rooms. Not that he paid twelve shillings for the rooms
alone; on the contrary, he had a two-stalled stable, with a sort of kennel
for his pointers, and a sty for his pig into the bargain. This pig, which
was eaten many times in anticipation, had at length fallen a victim to the
butcher, and Facey's larder was uncommonly well found in black-puddings,
sausages, spare ribs, and the other component parts of a pig: so that he
was in very hospitable circumstances--at least, in his rough and ready idea
of what hospitality ought to be. Indeed, whether he had or not, he'd have
risked it, being quite as good at carrying things off with a high hand as
Mr. Sponge himself.

The invitation came most opportunely; for, worn out with jealousy and
watching, Jog had made up his mind to cut to Australia, and when Sponge
returned after meeting Facey, Jog was in the act of combing out an
advertisement, offering all that desirable sporting residence called
Puddingpote Bower, with the coach-house, stables, and offices thereunto
belonging, to let, and announcing that the whole of the valuable household
furniture, comprising mahogany, dining, loo, card, and Pembroke tables;
sofa, couch, and chairs in hair seating; cheffonier, with plate glass;
book-case; flower-stands; pianoforte, by