Except the groin; said my uncle _Toby_. An' please your honour, replied the corporal, the knee, in my opinion, must certainly be the most acute, there being so many tendons and what-d'ye-call-'ems all about it.
It is for that reason, quoth my uncle _Toby_, that the groin is infinitely more sensible----there being not only as many tendons and what-d'ye-call-'ems (for I know their names as little as thou dost)----about it----but moreover * * *----
Mrs. _Wadman_, who had been all the time in her arbour--instantly stopp'd her breath--unpinn'd her mob at the chin, and stood up upon one leg----
The dispute was maintained with amicable and equal force betwixt my uncle _Toby_ and _Trim_ for some time; till _Trim_ at length recollecting that he had often cried at his master's sufferings, but never shed a tear at his own--was for giving up the point, which my uncle _Toby_ would not allow----'Tis a proof of nothing, _Trim_, said he, but the generosity of thy temper----
So that whether the pain of a wound in the groin (cteris paribus) is greater than the pain of a wound in the knee----or
Whether the pain of a wound in the knee is not greater than the pain of a wound in the groin----are points which to this day remain unsettled.
'Except the groin,' said my uncle Toby.
'An' please your honour,' replied the corporal, 'the knee, in my opinion, must certainly be the most acute, there being so many tendons and what-d'ye-call-'ems all around it.'
'It is for that reason,' quoth my uncle Toby, 'that the groin is infinitely more sensitive - there being not only tendons and what-d'ye-call-'ems - but moreover * * *.'
Mrs. Wadman, who had been all this time in her arbour, instantly held her breath - unpinned her mob-cap, and stood upon one leg.
The dispute went on with amicable and equal force betwixt my uncle Toby and Trim; till Trim at length recollecting that he had often cried at his master's sufferings, but never shed a tear at his own, was willing to give up the point, which my uncle Toby would not allow.
''Tis proof of nothing, Trim,' said he, 'but thy generosity.'
So whether the pain of a wound in the groin is greater than the pain of a wound in the knee - or vice versa - to this day remains unsettled.