CHAPTER XXI

----But ’tis no marvel, continued the corporal--seeing my uncle _Toby_ musing upon it--for Love, an’ please your honour, is exactly like war, in this; that a soldier, though he has escaped three weeks complete o’ _Saturday_ night, --may nevertheless be shot through his heart on _Sunday_ morning----_It happened so here_, an’ please your honour, with this difference only--that it was on _Sunday_ in the afternoon, when I fell in love all at once with a sisserara ----It burst upon me, an’ please your honour, like a bomb----scarce giving me time to say, “God bless me.”

I thought, _Trim_, said my uncle _Toby_, a man never fell in love so very suddenly.

Yes, an’ please your honour, if he is in the way of it----replied _Trim_.

I prithee, quoth my uncle _Toby_, inform me how this matter happened.

----With all pleasure, said the corporal, making a bow.

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