The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

-But can the thing be undone, Yorick? said my father -- for in my opinion, continued he, it cannot. I am a vile canonist, replied Yorick -- but of all evils, holding suspense to be the most tormenting, we shall at least know the worst of this matter. I hate these great dinners -- -- -said my father -- The size of the dinner is not the point, answered Yorick -- -- -we want, Mr. Shandy, to dive into the bottom of this doubt, whether the name can be changed or not -- and as the beards of so many commissaries, officials, advocates, proctors, registers, and of the most eminent of our school-divines, and others, are all to meet in the middle of one table, and Didius has so pressingly invited you -- who in your distress would miss such an occasion? All that is requisite, continued Yorick, is to apprize Didius, and let him manage a conversation after dinner so as to introduce the subject.

-- Then my brother Toby, cried my father, clapping his two hands together, shall go with us.