When the cataplasm was ready, a scruple of _decorum_ had unseasonably rose up in _Susannah's_ conscience about holding the candle, whilst _Slop_ tied it on; _Slop_ had not treated _Susannah's_ distemper with anodynes, --and so a quarrel had ensued betwixt them.
----Oh! oh! ----said _Slop_, casting a glance of undue freedom in _Susannah's_ face, as she declined the office; ----then, I think I know you, madam ----You know me, Sir! cried _Susannah_ fastidiously, and with a toss of her head, levelled evidently, not at his profession, but at the doctor himself, ----you know me! cried _Susannah_ again. ----Doctor _Slop_ clapped his finger and his thumb instantly upon his nostrils; ----_Susannah's_ spleen was ready to burst at it; ----'Tis false, said _Susannah_. --Come, come, Mrs. Modesty, said _Slop_, not a little elated with the success of his last thrust, ----If you won't hold the candle, and look--you may hold it and shut your eyes: --That's one of your popish shifts, cried _Susannah_: --'Tis better, said _Slop_, with a nod, than no shift at all, young woman; ----I defy you, Sir, cried _Susannah_, pulling her shift sleeve below her elbow.
It was almost impossible for two persons to assist each other in a surgical case with a more splenetic cordiality.

When Dr Slop's cataplasm, or poultice, was ready, an untimely scruple of decorum made Susannah refuse to hold the candle, whilst Slop put the cataplasm on. Slop had not given Susannah any pain relief for her distemper, and so a quarrel had strung up betwixt them.
'Oh!' said Slop, casting a glance at Susannah; 'then, I think I know you, madam.'
'You know me, Sir!' cried Susannah fastidiously, with a toss of her head.
Doctor Slop clapped his finger and his thumb instantly upon his nostrils.
Susannah was ready to burst with anger. ''Tis false,' she said.
'Come, come, Mrs. Modesty,' said Slop, somewhat elated with his success, 'if you won't hold the candle and look - hold it and shut your eyes.'
'That's one of your popish shifts,' cried Susannah.
''Tis better,' said Slop, 'than no shift at all, young woman.'
'I defy you, Sir,' cried Susannah, pulling her shift sleeve into sight below her elbow.
It was almost impossible for two persons to assist each other in a surgical case with more bad-tempered cordiality.
