and a clean white cambrick handkerchief beside it:--The youth
was just stooping down to take up the cushion, upon which I supposed he
had been kneeling,--the book was laid upon the bed,--and, as he rose, in
taking up the cushion with one hand, he reached out his other to take
it away at the same time.--Let it remain there, my dear, said the
lieutenant.

He did not offer to speak to me, till I had walked up close to his
bed-side:--If you are captain Shandy's servant, said he, you must
present my thanks to your master, with my little boy's thanks along
with them, for his courtesy to me;--if he was of Levens's--said the
lieutenant.--I told him your honour was--Then, said he, I served three
campaigns with him in Flanders, and remember him,--but 'tis most likely,
as I had not the honour of any acquaintance with him, that he knows
nothing of me.--You will tell him, however, that the person his
good-nature has laid under obligations to him, is one Le Fever, a
lieutenant in Angus's--but he knows me not,--said he, a second time,
musing;--possibly he may my story--added he--pray tell the captain, I
was the ensign at Breda, whose wife was most unfortunately killed with
a musket-shot, as she lay in my arms in my tent.--I remember the story,
an't please your honour, said I, very well.--Do you so? said he, wiping
his eyes with his handkerchief--then well may I.--In saying this, he
drew a little ring out of his bosom, which seemed tied with a black
ribband about his neck, and kiss'd it twice--Here, Billy, said he,--the
boy flew across the room to the bed-side,--and falling down upon his
knee, took the ring in his hand, and kissed it too,--then kissed his
father, and sat down upon the bed and wept.

I wish, said my uncle Toby, with a deep sigh,--I wish, Trim, I was
asleep.

Your honour, replied the corporal, is too much concerned;--shall I pour
your honour out a glass of sack to your pipe?--Do, Trim, said my uncle
Toby.

I remember, said my uncle Toby, sighing again, the story of the ensign
and his wife, with a circumstance his modesty omitted;--and particularly
well that he, as well as she, upon some account or other (I forget what)
was universally pitied by the whole regiment;--but finish the story thou
art upon:--'Tis finished already, said the corporal,--for I could stay
no longer,--so wished his honour a good night; young Le Fever rose from
off the bed, and saw me to the bottom of the stairs; and as we went down
together, to