But you may be mistaken . It may have been nothing more than a strange coincidence . Possibly something may be done for her . At all events , we must try . I have a friend in Queenslea who is a physician . His name is David Baker , and he is a very skilful specialist in regard to the throat and voice . I shall have him come here and see Kilmeny . '' `` Have your way , '' assented Janet in the hopeless tone which she might have used in giving him permission to attempt any impossible thing . `` It will be necessary to tell Dr. Baker why Kilmeny can not speak -- or why you think she can not . '' Janet 's face twitched . `` Must that be , Master ? Oh , it 's a bitter tale to tell a stranger . '' `` Do n't be afraid . I shall tell him nothing that is not strictly necessary to his proper understanding of the case . It will be quite enough to say that Kilmeny may be dumb because for several months before her birth her mother 's mind was in a very morbid condition , and she preserved a stubborn and unbroken silence because of a certain bitter personal resentment . '' `` Well , do as you think best , Master . '' Janet plainly had no faith in the possibility of anything being done for Kilmeny . But a rosy glow of hope flashed over Kilmeny 's face when Eric told her what he meant to do . `` Oh , do you think he can make me speak ? '' she wrote eagerly .
`` I do n't know , XXXXX .
Baker Eric Janet Kilmeny Queenslea coincidence events mind months tone