I think perhaps what happened is that it penetrated, without a specific statement by anyone. I just had to conclude this had occurred, and it became obvious. At that point, however, Mr. Powers, Mr. O'Donnell, and I were not at all sure that this had penetrated with Mrs. Kennedy for a few minutes.
Mr. Adams. Do you remember anything about a priest?
Mr. O'Brien. Yes; I do. I recall that Mr. O'Donnell told me that he had asked the staff, or it might have been a Secret Service man, or hospital staff person—in any event—someone to immediately secure a priest. There was no priest on the premises. And he had assumed perhaps a priest was en route, because by that time the knowledge that something serious had occurred certainly had become known through police radio and what-have-you.
But the priest arrived in a relatively short time. I don't know the specific time. But it didn't seem to be an awful long time. And, as a matter of fact, my recollection is that a second priest arrived, and then a third priest.
Mr. Adams. And you don't know who they were?
Mr. O'Brien. I do not.
Mr. Adams. During this interval, between the time that you arrived where Mrs. Kennedy was seated and the time it was officially determined that the President was dead, do you recall any conversation with Mrs. Kennedy?
Mr. O'Brien. No conversation other than, "Is there anything we can do for you?" Or a conversation of that nature in very brief and occasional sentences—no conversation as such.
Mr. Adams. Did Mr. Powers stay with you all that time?
Mr. O'Brien. Yes; he did.