Then something happened to my senses, I don't know what; I only knew I lost every one of them for about two minutes.

I was blind, deaf, dumb, tasteless, senseless, and feelingless.

Then I came to a little, rallied, and perceived that some of the boy were beginning to pound the floor with their heels.

I made a feint of holding my roll of verses nearer the lamp at my right hand, summoned traitor memory to return, and began: "Hail!" Was that my voice?
I did not recognize it.

It was more as if a mouse in the gallery had squeaked.