The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman Book 3, Chapter 13 Summary

Susannah finally gets a word in edgewise—upstairs is sheer chaos, and Dr. Slop should immediately go see the midwife.
(At this point, half the company looks like they've been through battle: Susannah's cut her arm, the midwife's bruised her hip, and Dr. Slop's thumb is sliced to the bone.)
Dr. Slop's an ornery fellow, so he's not having it. The midwife should come to him. If it weren't for the subordination of fingers and thumbs to ****** …