Eric had listened with a gray horror on his face to the gruesome tale . The black tragedy of it appalled him -- the tragedy of that merciless law , the most cruel and mysterious thing in God 's universe , which ordains that the sin of the guilty shall be visited on the innocent . Fight against it as he would , the miserable conviction stole into his heart that Kilmeny 's case was indeed beyond the reach of any human skill . `` It is a dreadful tale , '' he said moodily , getting up and walking restlessly to and fro in the dim spruce-shadowed old kitchen where they were . `` And if it is true that her mother 's willful silence caused Kilmeny 's dumbness , I fear , as you say , that we can not help her . 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 XXXXX you think best , Master . ''
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