deathwatch all night long;⸺and when he dies, the youth, his son, will certainly die with him, for he is brokenhearted already.
I was hearing this account, continued the corporal, when the youth came into the kitchen, to order the thin toast the landlord spoke of;⸺but I will do it for my father myself, said the youth.⸺Pray let me save you the trouble, young gentleman, said I, taking up a fork for the purpose, and offering him my chair to sit down upon by the fire, whilst I did it.⸺I believe, Sir, said he, very modestly, I can please him best myself.⸺I am sure, said I, his honour will not like the toast the worse for being toasted by an old soldier.⸺The youth took hold of my hand, and instantly burst into tears.⸺Poor youth! said my uncle Toby ,—he has been bred up from an infant in the army, and the name of a soldier, Trim , sounded in his ears like the name of a friend;—I wish I had him here.
⸺I never, in the longest march, said the corporal, had so great a mind to my dinner, as I had to cry with him for company:—What could be the matter with me, an’ please your honour? Nothing in the world, Trim , said my uncle Toby , blowing his nose,—but that thou art a good-natured fellow.
When I gave him the toast, continued the corporal, I thought it was proper to tell him I was captain Shandy’s servant, and that your honour (though a stranger) was extremely concerned for his father;—and that if there was anything in your house or cellar⸺(And thou might’st have added my purse too, said my uncle Toby )⸺he was heartily welcome to it:⸺He made a very low bow (which was meant to your honour), but no answer—for his heart was full—so he went upstairs with the toast;—I warrant you, my dear, said I, as I opened the kitchen-door, your father will be well again.⸺ Mr. Yorick’s curate was smoaking a pipe by the kitchen fire,—but said not a word good or bad to comfort the youth.⸺I thought it wrong; added the corporal⸺I think so too, said my uncle Toby .