‘How was it that you were hurt?’ asked Mrs. Lee, seating herself, and viewing me with a face of tender commiseration.
I answered that I supposed the boat’s mast fell upon me when I was unconscious.
‘Might not such a blow account for your losing your memory?’ said she, speaking in a soft, slow voice delightful to listen to.
‘I fear it matters not what took my memory away,’ said I, with a melancholy smile; ‘it is gone.’
‘It will return,’ said Miss Lee.
‘Do you remember nothing that happened before you were found in the open boat?’ asked Mrs. Lee.
‘Nothing,’ I returned.
She looked at her daughter, and tossed her hands.
‘I hope we shall be much together,’ said Miss Lee. ‘Mother, we must endeavour to recover Miss C——‘s memory for her. You must be patient,’ said she, smiling at me. ‘You will have to bear with me, I shall scheme and scheme for you, and every scheme I can think of we must try.’
‘It will be an occupation for you, Alice, and a beautiful one,’ said her mother, and she suddenly caught her breath, as though to prevent a sigh from escaping her.