Page:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy (Volume 9).pdf/74

 poral was mounting up the three steps before the door—he hem'd twice—a portion of my uncle Toby's most modest spirits fled, at each expulsion, towards the Corporal; he stood with the rapper of the door suspended for a full minute in his hand, he scarce knew why. Bridget stood perdue within, with her finger and her thumb upon the latch, benumb'd with expectation; and Mrs. Wadman, with an eye ready to be de-flowered again, sat breathless behind the window-curtain of her bed-chamber, watching their approach.

Trim! said my uncle Tobybut as he articulated the word, the minute expired, and Trim let fall the rapper.