MY uncle _Toby_ turn’d his head more than once behind him, to see how
he was supported by the corporal; and the corporal as oft as he did it,
gave a slight flourish with his stick—but not vapouringly; and with the
sweetest accent of most respectful encouragement, bid his honour “never
fear.”
Now my uncle _Toby_ did fear; and grievously too; he knew not (as my
father had reproach’d him) so much as the right end of a Woman from the
wrong, and therefore was never altogether at his ease near any one of
them——unless in sorrow or distress; then infinite was his pity; nor
would the most courteous knight of romance have gone further, at least
upon one leg, to have wiped away a tear from a woman’s eye; and yet
excepting once that he was beguiled into it by Mrs. _Wadman_, he had
never looked stedfastly into one; and would often tell my father in the
simplicity of his heart, that it was almost (if not about) as bad as
taking bawdy.——
——And suppose it is? my father would say.