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Chapter 52 In love!said the corporalyour honour was very well the day before yesterday, when I was telling your honour of the story of the King of BohemiaBohemia! said my uncle Toby. . .musing a long time. . .What became of that story, Trim? We lost it, an please your honour, somehow betwixt usbut your honour was as free from love then, as I amtwas just whilst thou wentst off with the wheel-barrowwith Mrs. Wadman, quoth my uncle TobyShe has left a ball hereadded my uncle Tobypointing to his breast She can no more, an please your honour, stand a siege, than she can fly- -cried the corporal But as we are neighbours, Trim,the best way I think is to let her know it civilly firstquoth my uncle Toby. Now if I might presume, said the corporal, to differ from your honour Why else do I talk to thee, Trim? said my uncle Toby, mildly Then I would begin, an please your honour, with making a good thundering attack upon her, in returnand telling her civilly afterwardsfor if she knows any thing of your honours being in love, before handL..d help her!she knows no more at present of it, Trim, said my uncle Tobythan the child unborn Precious souls! Mrs. Wadman had told it, with all its circumstances, to Mrs. Bridget twenty-four hours before; and was at that very moment sitting in council with her, touching some slight misgivings with regard to the issue of the affairs, which the Devil, who never lies dead in a ditch, had put into her headbefore he would allow half time, to get quietly through her Te Deum. I am terribly afraid, said widow Wadman, in case I should marry him, Bridgetthat the poor captain will not enjoy his health, with the monstrous wound upon his groin It may not, Madam, be so very large, replied Bridget, as you thinkand I believe, besides, added shethat tis dried up I could like to knowmerely for his sake, said Mrs. Wadman Well know and long and the broad of it, in ten daysanswered Mrs. Bridget, for whilst the captain is paying his addresses to youIm confident Mr. Trim will be for making love to meand Ill let him as much as he willadded Bridgetto get it all out of him The measures were taken at onceand my uncle Toby and the corporal went on with theirs. Now, quoth the corporal, setting his left hand a-kimbo, and giving such a flourish with his right, as just promised successand no moreif your honour will give me leave to lay down the plan of this attack Thou wilt please me by it, Trim, said my uncle Toby, exceedinglyand as I foresee thou must act in it as my aid de camp, heres a crown, corporal, to begin with, to steep thy commission. Then, an please your honour, said the corporal (making a bow first for his commission)we will begin with getting your honours laced clothes out of the great campaign-trunk, to be well aird, and have the blue and gold taken up at the sleevesand Ill put your white ramallie-wig fresh into pipesand send for a taylor, to have your honours thin scarlet breeches turnd I had better take the red plush ones, quoth my uncle TobyThey will be too clumsysaid the corporal. |
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