And I 'll be even with you yet . '' He strode fiercely up the lane , and Eric , with a shrug of his shoulders , went on his way , dismissing the meeting from his mind . The day seemed interminably long to him . David had not returned when he went home to dinner ; but when he went to his room in the evening he found his friend there , staring out of the window . `` Well , '' he said , impatiently , as David wheeled around but still kept silence , `` What have you to say to me ? Do n't keep me in suspense any longer , David . I have endured all I can . To-day has seemed like a thousand years . Have you discovered what is the matter with Kilmeny ? '' `` There is nothing the matter with her , '' answered David slowly , flinging himself into a chair by the window . `` What do you mean ? '' `` Just exactly what I say . Her vocal organs are all perfect . As far as they are concerned , there is absolutely no reason why she should not speak . '' `` Then why ca n't she speak ? Do you think -- do you think -- '' `` I think that I can not express my conclusion in any better words than Janet Gordon used when she said that Kilmeny can not speak because her mother would n't . That is all there is to it . The trouble is psychological , not physical . Medical skill is helpless before it . There are greater men than I in my profession ; but it is my honest belief , Eric , that if you were to consult them they would tell you just what I have told you , neither more nor less . ''
`` Then there is no hope , '' said Eric XXXXX a tone of despair .
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