I have ever a strong propensity, said my father, to look into things which cross my way, by such strange fatalities as these; --and as we have nothing better to do, at least till _Obadiah_ gets back, I shall be obliged to you, brother, if Dr. _Slop_ has no objection to it, to order the Corporal to give us a page or two of it, --if he is as able to do it, as he seems willing. An' please your Honour, quoth _Trim_, I officiated two whole campaigns, in _Flanders_, as clerk to the chaplain of the regiment. ----He can read it, quoth my uncle _Toby_, as well as I can. ----_Trim_, I assure you, was the best scholar in my company, and should have had the next halberd, but for the poor fellow's misfortune. Corporal _Trim_ laid his hand upon his heart, and made an humble bow to his master; --then laying down his hat upon the floor, and taking up the sermon in his left hand, in order to have his right at liberty, ----he advanced, nothing doubting, into the middle of the room, where he could best see, and be best seen by his audience.
'As we have nothing better to do,' replied my father, 'and if Dr. Slop has no objection, order the Corporal to give us a page or two of it, if he is able.'
'He can read it,' quoth my uncle Toby, 'as well as I can. Trim was the best scholar in my company.'
Corporal Trim made a humble bow to his master; then laying down his hat upon the floor, he advanced into the middle of the room, where he could best see and be seen by his audience.