Page:The Garden of Romance - 1897.djvu/127

Rh worse for being toasted by an old soldier.' The youth took hold of my hand, and instantly burst into tears." "Poor youth!" said my uncle Toby, "he has been bred up from an infant in the army; and the name of a soldier, Trim, sounded in his ears like the name of a friend! I wish I had him here."

"I never, in the longest march," said the Corporal, "had so great a mind for my dinner, as I had to cry with him for company. What could be the matter with me, an' please your Honour?" "Nothing in the world, Trim," said my uncle Toby, blowing his nose, "but that thou art a good-natured fellow."

"When I gave him the toast," continued the Corporal, "I thought it was proper to tell him I was Captain Shandy's servant, and that your Honour (though a stranger) was extremely concerned for his father; and that if there was anything in your house or cellar" ["And thou might'st have added my purse, too," said my uncle Toby] "he was heartily welcome to it. He made a very low bow (which was meant to your Honour) but no answer, for his heart was full; so he went upstairs with the toast. 'I warrant you, my dear,' said I, as I opened the kitchen door, 'your father will be well again.' Mr. Yorick's curate was smoking a pipe by the kitchen fire, but said not a word, good or bad, to comfort the youth. I thought it wrong," added the Corporal. "I think so too," said my uncle Toby.

"When the Lieutenant had taken his glass of sack and toast, he felt himself a little revived, and sent down into the kitchen to let me know that, in about ten minutes, he should be glad if I would step upstairs. 'I believe,' said the landlord, 'he is going to say his prayers;