The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

-- -- Boulogne! -- -- -hah! -- -- -so we are all got together -- -- -debtors and sinners before heaven; a jolly set of us -- but I can't stay and quaff it off with you -- I'm pursued myself like a hundred devils, and shall be overtaken, before I can well change horses: -- -- -for heaven's sake, make haste -- -- 'Tis for high-treason, quoth a very little man, whispering as low as he could to a very tall man, that stood next him -- -- -Or else for murder; quoth the tall man -- -- -Well thrown, Size-ace! quoth I. No; quoth a third, the gentleman has been committing -- .

Ah! ma chere fille! said I, as she tripp'd by from her matins -- you look as rosy as the morning (for the sun was rising, and it made the compliment the more gracious) -- No; it can't be that, quoth a fourth -- -- (she made a curt'sy to me -- I kiss'd my hand) 'tis debt, continued he: 'Tis certainly for debt; quoth a fifth; I would not pay that gentleman's debts, quoth Ace, for a thousand pounds; nor would I, quoth Size, for six times the sum -- Well thrown, Size-ace, again! quoth I; -- but I have no debt but the debt of Nature, and I want but patience of her, and I will pay her every farthing I owe her -- -- -How can you be so hardhearted, Madam, to arrest a poor traveller going along without molestation to anyone upon his lawful occasions? do stop that death-looking, long-striding scoundrel of a scare-sinner, who is posting after me -- -- -he never would have followed me but for you -- -- -if it be but for a stage or two, just to give me start of him, I beseech you, madam -- -- -do, dear lady -- -- -