⸺She often told me, quoth Trim , she did it for the love of Christ—I did not like it.⸺I believe, Trim , we are both wrong, said my uncle Toby —we’ll ask Mr. Yorick about it tonight at my brother Shandy’s ⸺so put me in mind; added my uncle Toby .
The young Beguine , continued the corporal, had scarce given herself time to tell me “she would be my nurse,” when she hastily turned about to begin the office of one, and prepare something for me⸺and in a short time—though I thought it a long one—she came back with flannels, etc. etc. , and having fomented my knee soundly for a couple of hours, etc. , and made me a thin bason of gruel for my supper—she wish’d me rest, and promised to be with me early in the morning.⸺She wished me, an’ please your honour, what was not to be had. My fever ran very high that night—her figure made sad disturbance within me—I was every moment cutting the world in two—to give her half of it—and every moment was I crying, That I had nothing but a knapsack and eighteen florins to share with her⸺The whole night long was the fair Beguine , like an angel, close by my bedside, holding back the curtain and offering me cordials—and I was only awakened from my dream by her coming there at the hour promised, and giving them in reality. In truth, she was scarce ever from me; and so accustomed was I to receive life from her hands, that my heart sickened, and I lost colour when she left the room: and yet, continued the corporal (making one of the strangest reflections upon it in the world)⸺
⸺“ It was not love ”⸺for during the three weeks she was almost constantly with me, fomenting my knee with her hand, night and day—I can honestly say, an’ please your honour—that * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * once.
That was very odd, Trim , quoth my uncle Toby .
I think so too—said Mrs. Wadman .
It never did, said the corporal.