twelve o'clock
These my Uncle Toby had in common with his species . But nothing wrought with our family after the common way . _ V _ When a man gives himself up to the government of a ruling passion , or , in other words , when his hobbyhorse grows headstrong , farewell cool reason and fair discretion . My Uncle Toby 's wound was near well ; he broiled with impatience to put his design in execution ; and so , without consulting further , with any soul living , which , by the way , I think is right , when you are predetermined to take no one soul 's advice , he privately ordered Trim , his man , to pack up a bundle of lint and dressings , and hire a chariot and four to be at the door exactly by twelve o'clock that day , when he knew my father would be upon change . So , leaving a banknote upon the table for the surgeon 's care of him , and a letter of tender thanks for his brother 's , he packed up his maps , his books of fortification , his instruments , and so forth , and by the help of a crutch on one side and Trim on the other , my Uncle Toby embarked for Shandy Hall . The reason , or rather the rise , of this sudden demigration was as follows : The table in my Uncle Toby 's room , being somewhat of the smallest , for that infinity of great and small instruments of knowledge which usually lay crowded upon it , he had the accident in reaching over for his tobacco box to throw down his compasses , and in stooping to take the compasses up , with his sleeve he threw down his case of instruments and snuffers ; and in his endeavouring to catch the snuffers in falling , he thrust his books off the table . 'T was to no purpose for a man , lame as my Uncle Toby was , to think of redressing all these evils by himself ; he rung his bell for his man Trim , -- `` Trim , '' quoth my Uncle Toby , `` prithee see what confusion I have been making .