But I fear that I continued to do nothing but look blank. “You will pardon me,” I pleaded, when the suspense had become embarrassing, “if I leave the suggestions to you. I really know so little about Atlantis that I couldn’t possibly choose wisely.” “True, you do know little about Atlantis,” coincided the Head Member, with a smile. “But there is something about which you undoubtedly know a great deal, and about which we Atlanteans know nothing at all.” “You mean--my own country?” I demanded, while all the members of the Committee leaned forward with interested glances. “Of course--your own country, and the upper world in general,” the Head Member nodded, approvingly. “You must remember, our latest news of your world was received some three thousand years ago. Even for a leisurely people like us, that is a long while. You cannot imagine how curious we are as to all that has happened since.” “And that’s what you want me to tell you?” “Naturally. We know, to be sure, that no one man could begin to tell us everything, but at least we’d like to learn the general outline of events. And so we are thinking of appointing you Official Historian of the Upper World.” “Official Historian of the Upper World!” I repeated, like one in a daze. “Yes. Why not? Judging from the fact that you’ve made quicker progress in our language than any of your companions, we think you would perhaps be better qualified for the office.” “But I haven’t specialized in history--” I started to plead. “We’re more interested in general movements than in particular incidents,” explained the Head Member. “The sort of knowledge that any educated man might give us, is what we want. “You certainly are not unacquainted with the present civilization up above, are you?” “No, not altogether,” I was forced to acknowledge. “And you’ve been taught a reasonable amount about the past, have you not?” “I’ve taken a number of history courses at college, if that’s what you mean.” “Excellent! Excellent!” And the Head Member beamed upon me ingratiatingly. “Then the rest should be a mere matter of study and application. You don’t object to the appointment, do you?” I confessed that I did not object. Whereupon, turning to his associates, he inquired, “Do you all approve of the appointment of Anson Harkness as Official Historian of the Upper World?” Since there was no dissent among the Committee members, my life-work was apparently settled. “But just what do you expect me to do?” I queried, somewhat doubtfully, after my appointment had been confirmed.