Dawn of All

It was a moment before either spoke. The old priest broke the silence. He was a gentle-faced oldman, not unlike a very shrewd and wide-awake dormouse; and his white hair stood out in a massbeneath his biretta. But the words he used were unintelligible, though not altogether unfamiliar."I . . . I don't understand, father," stammered the man. The priest looked at him sharply."I was saying," he said slowly and distinctly, "I was saying that you looked very well, and I wasasking you what was the matter."The other was silent a moment. How, to explain the thing! . . . Then he determined on making aclean breast of it. This old man looked kindly and discreet. "I . . . I think it's a lapse of memory," hesaid. "I've heard of such things. I . . . I don't know where I am nor what I'm doing. Are you . . . areyou sure you're not making a mistake? Have I got any right--?"The priest looked at him as if puzzled."I don't quite understand, Monsignor. What can't you remember?""I can't remember anything," wailed the man, suddenly broken down. "Nothing at all. Not who Iam, nor where I'm going, or where I come from. . . . What am I? Who am I? Father, for God's saketell me.""Monsignor, be quiet, please. You mustn't give way. Surely--""I tell you I can remember nothing. . . . It's all gone. I don't know who you are. I don't know whatday it is, or what year it is, or anything--"He felt a hand on his arm, and his eyes met a look of a very peculiar power and concentration. Hesank back into his seat strangely quieted and soothed."Now, Monsignor, listen to me. You know who I am"-(he broke off). "I'm Father Jervis. I knowabout these things. I've been through the psychological schools. You'll be all right presently, I hope. But you must be perfectly quiet--"