原文
Dentists always ask questions when it is impossible for you to answer. My dentist had just pulled out one of my teeth and had told me to rest for a while. I tried to say something but my mouth was full of cotton wool. He knew I collected match boxes and asked me whether my collection was growing.
He then asked me how my brother was and whether I liked my new job in London. In answer to these questions, I either nodded or made strange noises. Meanwhile, my tongue was busy searching out the hole where the tooth had been. I suddenly felt very worried but could not say anything.
When the dentist at last removed the cotton wool from my mouth, I was able to tell him that he had pulled out the wrong tooth.