'I can buy cheaper than you,' they say, 'and we may as well divide the trifle between us.' That was Mr.Spraggon's principle, only that the word 'trifle' inadequately conveys his opinion on the point; Jack's notion being that a man was entitled to 5_l._ per cent.

as of right, and as much more as he could get.
It was not often that Jack got a 'bite' at my lord, which, perhaps, made him think it the more incumbent on him not to miss an opportunity.

Having been told, of course he knew exactly the style of man he had to deal with in Mr.Sponge--a style of men of whom there is never any difficulty in asking if they will sell their horses, price being the only consideration.
They are, indeed, a sort of unlicensed horse-dealers, from whose presence few hunts are wholly free.

Mr.Spraggon thought if he could get Sponge to make it worth his while to get my lord to buy his horses, the--whatever he might get--would come in very comfortably to pay his Christmas bills.
By the time the bottle drew to a close, our friends were rather better friends, and seemed more inclined to fraternize.

Jack had the advantage of Sponge, for he could stare, or rather squint, at him without Sponge knowing it.