Sinclair Lewis: Main Street

15. CHAPTER XV (continued)

"You're so strong and yet so skilful and not afraid of blood or storm or----"

"Used to it. Only thing that's bothered me was the chance the ether fumes might explode, last night."

"I don't understand."

"Why, Dave, the darn fool, sent me ether, instead of chloroform like I told him, and you know ether fumes are mighty inflammable, especially with that lamp right by the table. But I had to operate, of course--wound chuck-full of barnyard filth that way."

"You knew all the time that---- Both you and I might have been blown up? You knew it while you were operating?"

"Sure. Didn't you? Why, what's the matter?"