“Do you mean that the patient is in a fair way to recover?” inquired Mr. Pickwick.

“No,” replied Mr. Hopkins carelessly. “No, I should rather say he wouldn’t. There must be a splendid operation, though, tomorrow⁠—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.”