'I'll _work_ him for it,' he added.

'He sha'n't get rid of _me_ in a hurry--at least, not unless I can get a better billet elsewhere.' Having arranged the parting with Leather, and got a cart to carry his things, Mr.Sponge mounted the piebald, and put himself under the guidance of Watson to be conducted to his destination.

The first part of the journey was performed in silence, Mr.Sponge not being particularly well pleased at the reception his request to have his horses taken in had met with.

This silence he might perhaps have preserved throughout had it not occurred to him that he might pump something out of the servant about the family he was going to visit.
'That's not a bad-like old cob of yours,' he observed, drawing rein so as to let the shaggy white come alongside of him.
'He belies his looks, then,' replied Watson, with a grin of his cadaverous face, 'for he's just as bad a beast as ever looked through a bridle.

It's a parfect disgrace to a gentleman to put a man on such a beast.' Sponge saw the sort of man he had got to deal with, and proceeded accordingly.
'Have you lived long with Mr.Jawleyford ?' he asked.
'No, nor will I, if I can help it,' replied Watson, with another grin and another touch of the old hat.