The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

-And pray, said my uncle Toby, leaning upon Yorick, as he and my father were helping him leisurely down the stairs -- -- -don't be terrified, madam, this staircase conversation is not so long as the last -- -- -And pray, Yorick, said my uncle Toby, which way is this said affair of Tristram at length settled by these learned men? Very satisfactorily, replied Yorick; no mortal, Sir, has any concern with it -- -- -for Mrs. Shandy the mother is nothing at all akin to him -- -- -and as the mother's is the surest side -- -- -Mr. Shandy, in course, is still less than nothing -- -- -- In short, he is not as much akin to him, Sir, as I am.

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