My uncle _Toby's_ head at that time was full of other matters, so that it was not till the demolition of _Dunkirk_, when all the other civilities of _Europe_ were settled, that he found leisure to return this.
This made an armistice (that is, speaking with regard to my uncle _Toby_--but with respect to Mrs. _Wadman_, a vacancy)--of almost eleven years. But in all cases of this nature, as it is the second blow, happen at what distance of time it will, which makes the fray ----I chuse for that reason to call these the amours of my uncle _Toby_ with Mrs. _Wadman_, rather than the amours of Mrs. _Wadman_ with my uncle _Toby_.
This is not a distinction without a difference.
It is not like the affair of _an old hat cock'd_----and _a cock'd old hat_, about which your reverences have so often been at odds with one another----but there is a difference here in the nature of things----
And let me tell you, gentry, a wide one too.
My uncle Toby's head at that time was full of other matters, so that it was not till the demolition of Dunkirk that he found leisure to return this sentiment.
This made an armistice (with regard to my uncle Toby - but regarding Mrs. Wadman, a vacancy) of almost eleven years. But in all cases of this nature, it is the second blow, no matter how much later, which makes the fray.
I choose for that reason to call these the amours of my uncle Toby with Mrs. Wadman, rather than the amours of Mrs. Wadman with my uncle Toby.
This makes a difference.
It is not like the affair of an old hat cocked - and a cocked old hat - but there is a difference here in the nature of things-
And let me tell you, gentry, a wide one too.
Book 8 - Chapter 10