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 , Kilmeny . I hope that he can , and I know he will do all that mortal skill can do . If he can remove your defect will you promise to marry me , dearest ? '' She nodded . The grave little motion had the solemnity of a sacred promise . `` Yes , '' she wrote , `` when I can speak like other women I will marry you . '' CHAPTER XVI . DAVID BAKER 'S OPINION The next week David Baker came to Lindsay . He arrived in the afternoon when Eric was in school .
When the latter came home he found XXXXX David had , in the space of an hour , captured Mrs. Williamson 's heart , wormed himself into the good graces of Timothy , and become hail-fellow-well-met with old Robert .
If Kilmeny as for in like months of that to