Page:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy (Volume 3).pdf/81

 Obadiah arrived,—and I know not how it happens, brother Toby,—but to my imagination it seems almost an age.

—Here—pray, Sir, take hold of my cap,—nay, take the bell along with it, and my pantoufles too.—

Now, Sir, they are all at your service; and I freely make you a present of 'em, on condition, you give me all your attention to this chapter.

Though my father said, "he knew not how it happen'd,"—yet he knew very well, how it happen'd;—and at the instant he spoke it, was pre-determined in his mind, to give my uncle Toby a clear account of the matter by a metaphysical dissertation upon the subject of duration