----No, --I think I have advanced nothing, replied my father, making answer to a question which _Yorick_ had taken the liberty to put to him, --I have advanced nothing in the _Tristra-pdia_, but what is as clear as any one proposition in _Euclid_. --Reach me, _Trim_, that book from off the scrutoir: ----it has oft-times been in my mind, continued my father, to have read it over both to you, _Yorick_, and to my brother _Toby_, and I think it a little unfriendly in myself, in not having done it long ago: ----shall we have a short chapter or two now, --and a chapter or two hereafter, as occasions serve; and so on, till we get through the whole? My uncle _Toby_ and _Yorick_ made the obeisance which was proper; and the corporal, though he was not included in the compliment, laid his hand upon his breast, and made his bow at the same time. ----The company smiled. _Trim_, quoth my father, has paid the full price for staying out the _entertainment_. ----He did not seem to relish the play, replied _Yorick_. ----'Twas a Tom-fool-battle, an' please your reverence, of captain _Tripet's_ and that other officer, making so many summersets, as they advanced; ----the _French_ come on capering now and then in that way, --but not quite so much.
My uncle _Toby_ never felt the consciousness of his existence with more complacency than what the corporal's, and his own reflections, made him do at that moment; ----he lighted his pipe, ----_Yorick_ drew his chair closer to the table, --_Trim_ snuff'd the candle, --my father stirr'd up the fire, --took up the book, --cough'd twice, and begun.
'No,' replied my father, answering a question from Yorick. 'I have not advanced in the Tristra-paedia, but - reach me, Trim, the book from off the desk - it has oft-times been in my mind to read it over to you, Yorick, and to my brother Toby: - shall we have a short chapter or two now, and more later on, till we get through the whole?'
My uncle Toby and Yorick agreed politely; and the corporal, though he was not included in the compliment, made his bow. The company smiled.
'Trim,' quoth my father, 'has paid the full price for staying out the entertainment.'
'He did not seem to relish the play,' replied Yorick.
''Twas a Tom-fool-battle, your reverence, of captain Tripet's and that other officer, making so many somersaults; the French come on capering now and then, but not quite so much.'
My uncle Toby never felt more pleased than with the corporal's reflections at that moment. He lit his pipe; Yorick drew his chair closer to the table; my father took up the book, coughed twice, and began.
Book 5 - Chapter 30