[Charles O’Malley, The Irish Dragoon<br> Volume 2 (of 2) by Charles Lever]@TWC D-Link book
Charles O’Malley, The Irish Dragoon
Volume 2 (of 2)

CHAPTER XXXIV
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Who the deuce can that be, talking so loud ?" "It must be Maurice," said Giles.
The question was soon decided by the doctor himself, who appeared giving directions to his hospital-sergeant.
"Yes, Peter, take the tools up to a convenient spot near the breach.
There's many a snug corner there in the ruins; and although we mayn't have as good an operation-room as in old 'Steevens's,' yet we'll beat them hollow in cases." "Listen to the fellow," said Giles, with a shudder.

"The thought of his confounded thumbscrews and tourniquets is worse to me than a French howitzer." "The devil a kinder-hearted fellow than Maurice," said O'Shaughnessy, "for all that; and if his heart was to be known this moment, he'd rather handle a sword than a saw." "True for you, Dennis," said Quill, overhearing him, "but we are both useful in our way, as the hangman said to Lord Clare." "But should you not be in the rear, Maurice ?" said I.
"You are right, O'Malley," said he, in a whisper; "but, you see, I owe the Cork Insurance Company a spite for making me pay a gout premium, and that's the reason I'm here.

I warned them at the time that their stinginess would come to no good." "I say, Captain O'Malley," said Giles, "I find I can't be as good as my word with you; my servant has moved to the rear with all my traps." "What is to be done ?" said I.
"Is it shaving utensils you want ?" said Maurice.

"Would a scalpel serve your turn ?" "No, Doctor, I'm going to take a turn of duty with your fellows to-night." "In the breach, with the stormers ?" "With the forlorn hope," said O'Shaughnessy.

"Beauclerc is so badly wounded that we've sent him back; and Charley, like a good fellow, has taken his place." "Martin told me," said Maurice, "that Beauclerc was only stunned; but, upon my conscience, the hospital-mates, now-a-days, are no better than the watchmakers; they can't tell what's wrong with the instrument till they pick it to pieces.


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