"Alas, Sophia!" he ingeminated, "how liable to misconception--though
doubtless wise on the whole--are the rulings of Providence, which in
one short hour has torn me from your soft embrace to follow a calling
which I foresee I shall detest!"
Unluckily this emotion, though warranted by his circumstances, proved
too great for the ready-made suit which he wore. At the first sigh
two buttons burst from his jacket, one of which flew a full twelve
inches and gently struck the cheek of a Dutch sergeant who was taking
forty winks upon the adjacent mattress.
"Vat the devil for?" exclaimed Sergeant Klomp, opening his eyes and
glaring upon the recruit.
"I beg your pardon," said Tristram.
"Zat was in fon, hey?"
"On the contrary--"
"Vat for, if not?"
"It was accidental, I assure you. I was unbosoming myself--"
"So; I will deach you to onbosom yourself of his Majesty's buttons.
Agsidental! You shall not be agsidental to me!" Sergeant Klomp
rolled his eyes, and, picking up his cane, which lay beside him, rose
to his feet and advanced with menace on his face.
Tristram hastily applied his syllogism. "It is right," he said to
himself, "to resist when molested in a peaceful occupation.
Sighing is a peaceful occupation.
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