Page:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy (Volume 3).pdf/158

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[152]

had the jointure to pay, a hundred and fifty pounds half yearly—(on Michaelmas and Lady day)—during all that time.

No man discharged pecuniary obligations with a better grace than my father.—And as far as the hundred pounds went, he would fling it upon the table, guinea by guinea, with that spirited jerk of an honest welcome, which generous souls, and generous souls only, are able to fling down money: but as soon as ever he enter'd upon the odd fifty,—he generally gave a loud Hem!—rubb'd the side of his nose leisurely with the flat part of his fore finger,—inserted his hand cautiously betwixt his head and the cawl of his wig,—look'd at both sides of every guinea, as he parted with it,—and seldomcould