XVII

conscience!” > > [Certainly, Trim , quoth my father, interrupting him, you give that sentence a very improper accent; for you curl up your nose, man, and read it with such a sneering tone, as if the Parson was going to abuse the Apostle. > > He is, an’ please your Honour, replied Trim . Pugh! said my father, smiling. > > Sir, quoth Dr. Slop , Trim is certainly in the right; for the writer (who I perceive is a Protestant) by the snappish manner in which he takes up the apostle, is certainly going to abuse him;⁠—if this treatment of him has not done it already. But from whence, replied my father, have you concluded so soon, Dr. Slop , that the writer is of our church?⁠—for aught I can see yet,⁠—he may be of any church.⁠⸺⁠Because, answered Dr. Slop , if he was of ours,⁠—he durst no more take such a licence,⁠—than a bear by his beard:⁠—If, in our communion, Sir, a man was to insult an apostle,⁠⸺⁠a saint,⁠⸺⁠or even the paring of a saint’s nail,⁠—he would have his eyes scratched out.⁠—What, by the saint? quoth my uncle Toby . No, replied Dr. Slop , he would have an old house over his head. Pray is the Inquisition an ancient building, answered my uncle Toby , or is it a modern one?⁠—I know nothing of architecture, replied Dr. Slop .⁠—An’ please your Honours, quoth Trim , the Inquisition is the vilest⁠⸺⁠Prithee spare thy description, Trim , I hate the very name of it, said my father.⁠—No matter for that, answered Dr. Slop ,⁠—it has its uses; for though I’m no great advocate for it, yet, in such a case as this, he would soon be taught better manners; and I can tell him, if he went on at that rate, would be flung into the Inquisition for his pains. God help him then, quoth