The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

What a chapter of chances, said my father, turning himself about upon the first landing, as he and my uncle Toby were going downstairs -- what a long chapter of chances do the events of this world lay open to us! Take pen and ink in hand, brother Toby, and calculate it fairly -- -- -I know no more of calculation than this balluster, said my uncle Toby (striking short of it with his crutch, and hitting my father a desperate blow souse upon his shinbone) -- -- 'Twas a hundred to one -- cried my uncle Toby -- I thought, quoth my father (rubbing his shin), you had known nothing of calculations, brother Toby. 'Tis a mere chance, said my uncle Toby.

-- -- -- Then it adds one to the chapter -- -- -replied my father.