That, however, put it rather out of his power, especially as it was done so politely, and hinted at a renewal of the visit.

Mr.Sponge spent the evening in cogitating what he should do--thinking what sportsmen had held out the hand of good-fellowship, and hinted at hoping to have the pleasure of seeing him.
Fyle, Fossick, Blossomnose, Capon, Dribble, Hook, and others, were all run through his mind, without his thinking it prudent to attempt to fix a volunteer visit upon any of them.

Many people he knew could pen polite excuses, who yet could not hit them off at the moment, especially in that great arena of hospitality--the hunting-field.

He went to bed very much perplexed..