Page:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy (Volume 9).pdf/152

 My father, whether by ancient custom of the manor, or as improprietor of the great tythes, was obliged to keep a Bull for the service of the Parish, and Obadiah had led his cow upon a pop-visit to him one day or other the preceeding summer—I say, one day or other—because as chance would have it, it was the day on which he was married to my father's house-maid—so one was a reckoning to the other. Therefore when Obadiah's wife was brought to bed—Obadiah thanked God

Now, said Obadiah, I shall have a calf: so Obadiah went daily to visit his cow.