CHAPTER XX

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----You shall see the very place, Madam; said my uncle _Toby_.

Mrs. _Wadman_ blush’d----look’d towards the door----turn’d pale----blush’d slightly again----recover’d her natural colour----blush’d worse than ever; which, for the sake of the unlearned reader, I translate thus----

“_L--d! I cannot look at it---- What would the world say if I look’d at it? I should drop down, if I look’d at it-- I wish I could look at it---- There can be no sin in looking at it. ----I will look at it._”

Whilst all this was running through Mrs. _Wadman’s_ imagination, my uncle _Toby_ had risen from the sopha, and got to the other side of the parlour door, to give _Trim_ an order about it in the passage----

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* * ----I believe it is in the garret, said my uncle _Toby_ ----I saw it there, an’ please your honour, this morning, answered _Trim_ ----Then prithee, step directly for it, _Trim_, said my uncle _Toby_, and bring it into the parlour.

The corporal did not approve of the orders, but most chearfully obeyed them. The first was not an act of his will--the second was; so he put on his _Montero_-cap, and went as fast as his lame knee would let him. My uncle _Toby_ returned into the parlour, and sat himself down again upon the sopha.

----You shall lay your finger upon the place--said my uncle _Toby_. ----I will not touch it, however, quoth Mrs. _Wadman_ to herself.

This requires a second translation: --it shews what little knowledge is got by mere words--we must go up to the first springs.

Now in order to clear up the mist which hangs upon these three pages, I must endeavour to be as clear as possible myself.

Rub your hands thrice across your foreheads--blow your noses--cleanse your emunctories--sneeze, my good people! ----God bless you----

Now give me all the help you can.

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