you the ten pounds
this moment with all my heart and soul.--

Brother Toby, replied my father, altering his tone, you care not what
money you dissipate and throw away, provided, continued he, 'tis but
upon a Siege.--Have I not one hundred and twenty pounds a year, besides
my half pay? cried my uncle Toby.--What is that--replied my father
hastily--to ten pounds for a pair of jack-boots?--twelve guineas for
your pontoons?--half as much for your Dutch draw-bridge?--to say nothing
of the train of little brass artillery you bespoke last week, with
twenty other preparations for the siege of Messina: believe me, dear
brother Toby, continued my father, taking him kindly by the hand--these
military operations of yours are above your strength;--you mean well
brother--but they carry you into greater expences than you were first
aware of;--and take my word, dear Toby, they will in the end quite ruin
your fortune, and make a beggar of you.--What signifies it if they do,
brother, replied my uncle Toby, so long as we know 'tis for the good of
the nation?--

My father could not help smiling for his soul--his anger at the worst
was never more than a spark;--and the zeal and simplicity of Trim--and
the generous (though hobby-horsical) gallantry of my uncle Toby, brought
him into perfect good humour with them in an instant.

Generous souls!--God prosper you both, and your mortar-pieces too! quoth
my father to himself.

Chapter 2.XVI.

All is quiet and hush, cried my father, at least above stairs--I hear
not one foot stirring.--Prithee Trim, who's in the kitchen? There is no
one soul in the kitchen, answered Trim, making a low bow as he spoke,
except Dr. Slop.--Confusion! cried my father (getting upon his legs a
second time)--not one single thing has gone right this day! had I faith
in astrology, brother, (which, by the bye, my father had) I would have
sworn some retrograde planet was hanging over this unfortunate house of
mine, and turning every individual thing in it out of its place.--Why,
I thought Dr. Slop had been above stairs with my wife, and so said
you.--What can the fellow be puzzling about in the kitchen!--He is busy,
an' please your honour, replied Trim, in making a bridge.--'Tis very
obliging in him, quoth my uncle Toby:--pray, give my humble service to
Dr. Slop, Trim, and tell him I thank him heartily.

You must know, my uncle Toby mistook the bridge--as widely as my father
mistook the mortars:--but to understand