Chapter C: H a P. LXXIX

—— * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *.——

——You shall see the very place, Madam; said my uncle _Toby._

Mrs. _Wadman_ blush’d——look’d towards the door——turn’d pale——blush’d slightly again——recover’d her natural colour——blush’d worse than ever; which, for the sake of the unlearned reader, I translate thus——

“_L—d! I cannot look at it——_

_What would the world say if I look’d at it?_

_I should drop down, if I look’d at it—_

_I wish I could look at it—_

_There can be no sin in looking at it._

_——I will look at it._”

Whilst all this was running through Mrs. _Wadman_’s imagination, my uncle _Toby_ had risen from the sopha, and got to the other side of the parlour door, to give _Trim_ an order about it in the passage——

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *——I believe it is in the garret, said my uncle _Toby_——I saw it there, an’ please your honour, this morning, answered _Trim_——Then prithee, step directly for it, _Trim_, said my uncle _Toby_, and bring it into the parlour.

The corporal did not approve of the orders, but most cheerfully obeyed them. The first was not an act of his will—the second was; so he put on his _Montero_-cap, and went as fast as his lame knee would let him. My uncle _Toby_ returned into the parlour, and sat himself down again upon the sopha.

——You shall lay your finger upon the place—said my uncle _Toby._——I will not touch it, however, quoth Mrs. _Wadman_ to herself.

This requires a second translation:—it shews what little knowledge is got by mere words—we must go up to the first springs.

Now in order to clear up the mist which hangs upon these three pages, I must endeavour to be as clear as possible myself.

Rub your hands thrice across your foreheads—blow your noses—cleanse your emunctories—sneeze, my good people!——God bless you——

Now give me all the help you can.