McNaughten
Let me be hanged if I know it at all!
Bronlow
Could you possibly forget?
Spruce (aside to Bronlow)
Are you unable to see the illness he's suffering from?
Bronlow
Indeed, I am unable to see it!
Spruce He's suffering from amnesia and cannot recall a thing. Neither what he's done nor the people he's seen. Talking to him about the past is not only useless but crazy. His name itself, his very own name, he sometimes forgets!
Bronlow Heavens, what are you telling me? What a sad event. But how could he, at his young age?
Spruce How? (puzzled momentarily) How? He lost it in the war—in a battery with the cannon roaring with such fury that it made a commotion in his head—which prevents him from remembering anything. In his weak head— this tender membrane. Oh, you cannot understand the effect of a cannon.
Bronlow (very decently) I am terribly sorry for what has befallen you, but I assure you that you do owe me this money.
McNaughten
I can see very clearly that reason has taken leave of you.
Bronlow
Sir, try to recall those uniforms I supplied you with.