‘Let me hear your name, madame?’ said the young Frenchman.
I thought and thought and answered, ‘I cannot remember my name.’
‘Not remember your name! But that is droll. Does it begin with A? Does it begin with B?’ and he ran through the alphabet.
I listened, and all these letters sounded as idly upon my ear as the noise of the wind or the sound of passing waters.
‘But you are English?’ said he.
Again I thought and thought, and replied in a whisper, ‘I cannot tell.’
He ejaculated in French. ‘Will you not ask me some questions?’ said he. ‘Perhaps whilst you ask questions you will be able to recollect.’
‘What shall I ask?’ I answered, ‘I remember nothing to ask.’
‘Ask about the boat we found you in.’
‘Yes, tell me about that boat,’ said I.