`` Neil Gordon behaved rather badly and frightened Kilmeny terribly , -- so terribly that a very surprising thing has happened . She has found herself able to speak , and can speak perfectly . '' Old Robert laid down the piece of cheese he was conveying to his mouth on the point of a knife and stared at Eric in blank amazement . `` God bless my soul , Master , what an extraordinary thing ! '' he ejaculated . `` Are you in earnest ? Or are you trying to see how much of a fool you can make of the old man ? '' `` No , Mr. Williamson , I assure you it is no more than the simple truth . Dr. Baker told me that a shock might cure her , -- and it has . As for Neil , he has gone , no doubt for good , and I think it well that he has . '' Not caring to discuss the matter further , Eric left the kitchen . But as he mounted the stairs to his room he heard old Robert muttering , like a man in hopeless bewilderment , `` Well , I never heard anything like this in all my born days -- never -- never . Timothy , did YOU ever hear the like ? Them Gordons are an unaccountable lot and no mistake . They could n't act like other people if they tried . I must wake mother up and tell her about this , or I 'll never be able to sleep . '' CHAPTER XIX . VICTOR FROM VANQUISHED ISSUES Now that everything was settled Eric wished to give up teaching and go back to his own place . True , he had `` signed papers '' to teach the school for a year ; but he knew that the trustees would let him off if he procured a suitable substitute . He resolved to teach until the fall vacation , which came in October , and then go .
Kilmeny had promised that their marriage should take place XXXXX the following spring .
about as if in like of on than that to