“Been detained at Bartholomew’s,” replied Hopkins.
“Anything new?”
“No, nothing particular. Rather a good accident brought into the casualty ward.”
“What was that, sir?” inquired Mr. Pickwick.
“Only a man fallen out of a four pair of stairs’ window;—but it’s a very fair case—very fair case indeed.”
“Do you mean that the patient is in a fair way to recover?” inquired Mr. Pickwick.
“No,” replied Hopkins, carelessly. “No, I should rather say he wouldn’t. There must be a splendid operation though, to-morrow—magnificent sight if Slasher does it.”
“You consider Mr. Slasher a good operator?” said Mr. Pickwick.
“Best alive,” replied Hopkins. “Took a boy’s leg out of the socket last week—boy ate five apples and a gingerbread cake—exactly two minutes after it was all over, boy said he wouldn’t lie there to be made game of, and he’d tell his mother if they didn’t begin.”