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By Root 1058 0

once a crusade, a bit of a bee in the bonnet, has cooled rather. As regards your kind remarks about stammering, I am extremely grateful, of course. I have recently been overworking, or so the doctor tells me, and I developed a tendency to stammer. But I don’t seem to remember doing so at that lecture. But you appear to remember it all in such very remarkable detail. Perhaps my making a joke about stammering had a prophylactic effect? I have found this to be the case. As regards Frederick Larson, I do seem to know the name, but that is all. I take his word for it that we have met. I think he is making too much of the stammering. Mine was relieved by remembering to speak very slowly and carefully, particularly when tired, and above all, by not forgetting to take the doctor’s pills. I am sorry I have to disappoint you in replying so churlishly to your quite extraordinarily lengthy letter. But alas, I have not yet retired, with my time to myself. Which must be my excuse for not accepting your extraordinarily kind invitation to meet you and Mr. Larson. I am very seldom in London and when I am my time is taken up with interviews and visits in connection with my work.

Yours truly,

CHARLES WATKINS

DEAR DOCTOR Y,

Professor Watkins came to consult me in the spring of this year, in connection with stammering. I prescribed Librium and a holiday. I also gave him the address of a speech therapist, when the stammering did not stop. He has been on my books for five years. I took this practice over in 1964. He has not been ill in that time, except for influenza last year. He seemed to me to be in pretty good physical shape in March. He said he had lost weight. When I got your letter I asked his wife to come in and see me. I know her rather better than I know him, because I attend the children. She doesn’t seem able to throw much light. But in her interests, I suggest she see her husband pretty soon. Of course I am only that old-fashioned thing, a family doctor, and I don’t know as much as I should about mental health. But Mrs. Watkins is under heavy strain.

Yours sincerely,

DOCTOR Z

Hello Charles.

You are …

I’m your wife.

Would you like to sit down?...........................................

......................................................................................

I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.

But Charles it isn’t possible that you don’t know me?

I’m sorry.

But I just can’t …

Then Felicity …

How do you know my name is Felicity?

They told me. They said you might come today.

You didn’t ask to see me then?

No………………………………….

Charles you sit there and you tell me … oh, no, I just can’t believe it. Oh, I’m so sorry.

Tell me then?

Tell you what?

For instance, how long have we been married?

Fifteen years.

……………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………

The doctor says he has had other cases. I’m not the first, by a long chalk. Why are you laughing?

You always say that, just like that, “by a long chalk.”

Do I?………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………

When they told me you were coming, I hoped that if I saw you I’d remember …

And you don’t?

No. You’re so angry. I didn’t expect you to be angry.

Angry? Of course I’m not angry. What a funny thing to say. It’s not your fault you’ve lost your memory. It happens to people. I’m very sorry for you. I really am.

No, you are angry.

Well, if I were angry … it’s so like you Charles. All the time, since I knew you had lost your memory I couldn’t help thinking, That’s so like Charles.

But why is it? Have I lost my memory before?

No. Well, not so far as I know. You never told me, if so. But you don’t tell me things, do you?

There, I said you were angry.

Oh no, now I’m in the wrong again. I simply can’t believe………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………

Don’t cry.

We’ve lived together for fifteen years. Fifteen years, Charles.

I’m sorry. I’m really very sorry, Felicity. And now you are angrier still.

I’m not angry but I can’t help crying. Wouldn’t you?

Please go. You must go away. I don’t know you, you see, Felicity.

Patient