You seem to be in excellent health yourself . Explain why you have inveigled me hither . '' `` I want you to do me a service which only you can do , David , '' said Eric quietly . `` I did n't care to go into the details by letter . I have met in Lindsay a young girl whom I have learned to love . I have asked her to marry me , but , although she cares for me , she refuses to do so because she is dumb . I wish you to examine her and find out the cause of her defect , and if it can be cured . She can hear perfectly and all her other faculties are entirely normal . In order that you may better understand the case I must tell you the main facts of her history . '' This Eric proceeded to do . David Baker listened with grave attention , his eyes fastened on his friend 's face . He did not betray the surprise and dismay he felt at learning that Eric had fallen in love with a dumb girl of doubtful antecedents ; and the strange case enlisted his professional interest . When he had heard the whole story he thrust his hands into his pockets and strode up and down the room several times in silence . Finally he halted before Eric . `` So you have done what I foreboded all along you would do -- left your common sense behind you when you went courting . '' `` If I did , '' said Eric quietly , `` I took with me something better and nobler than common sense . '' David shrugged his shoulders . `` You 'll have hard work to convince me of that , Eric . '' `` No , it will not be difficult at all . I have one argument that will convince you speedily -- and that is Kilmeny Gordon herself .
But we will not discuss the matter XXXXX my wisdom or lack of it just now .
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