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 that 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 . But he looked curiously at Eric when the two young men found themselves alone in the upstairs room . `` Now , Eric , I want to know what all this is about . What scrape have you got into ? You write me a letter , entreating me in the name of friendship to come to you at once . Accordingly I come post haste . 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 XXXXX his pockets and strode up and down the room several times in silence .
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