Eric explained it all to me the next day when he came. He had already written and posted his letter to his friend, David Baker. He reassured me that his friend was very reliable and would come to Prince Edward Island very hastily, if ever Eric asked for it. He was very hopeful about it all, and it would be amiss to say that I was not.

I could tell Aunt Janet hoped the same thing, but Uncle Thomas seemed doubtful. He mentioned something along the lines of, "Some things are best left to Providence, and mortal man should not intervene."

Thinking over the story I had overheard from my aunt, I could see why he might think that way. But perhaps it was the strangest coincidence, and this doctor could do something for me. How I longed to speak! I had always had that great wish that I could speak like others, and now… it was of the greatest importance. It almost felt like my life was hanging in the balance. I felt all afire with excitement and ever so nervous at the same time at the thought of this strange doctor coming to look at me. Was there anything he could do? And if so, what would it be? I sincerely hoped whatever procedure he did would not be too difficult. But I trusted Eric, which meant in turn, I trusted this unknown man, because Eric said that David Baker was his best friend.

We spent that week awaiting Dr. Baker's arrival. This time, however, there was a bit of a strain in our relationship. The marriage we never talked about. Eric was free to profess his love for me at various moments, and while I did thrill to hear it, I was reluctant to say it back. I wanted to know about the doctor first, and see if he could help me. However, I asked plenty of questions about Eric and his friend, and he hid nothing from me. It was so very interesting to hear how Eric had grown up with this man, and to hear the respect in his voice was quite wonderful to me.

I did not play in front of Eric that week. Somehow, I just couldn't. But I did play on my own, with no one listening. I could pour out my soul into my music then, without feeling I was revealing too much. I played out my hopes, dreams, sadness, despair, joy, love, and the songs the wind brought to me.

Neil was very much changed with me. I did not try to talk to him much, minding what Uncle had said to me. But Neil seemed angry with me, and would go out of his way to avoid me. He would disappear for the day as often as not, and on Saturdays and Sundays, we would not know where he was. It was saddening to me to have lost Neil's friendship, but puzzling as well. I did not know why it had happened, or what I had done to merit this. I sensed that something had gone wrong between him and Eric, but I did not ask, not wishing to pry.

One morning, I sat in the orchard with my dear violin. I just played from my heart, and what came from it was a wild sorrowful music, but very sweet at the same time. I was pouring out my wishes to the skies, but doubtful that would happen. At last, I noticed movement in the trees, and put my violin down, fully expecting Eric. As he appeared, I immediately saw an older man with him, and perceived it was Dr. David Baker. He was not overly handsome, but his face was kind. I liked him very much, and rose to meet them. Daintily, I brushed down my dress to make sure the folds fell in the right way, and I felt my face flush a little. I was nervous of meeting another strange man, but at the same time, I was so hopeful that he could cure me.

The man stared at me, but I met his eyes this time, knowing with a glad thrill inside me that it was not because I was ugly. He seemed quite amazed to see me, and I smiled at him shyly. Eric looked so very proud, and I felt his love for me. Introductions were not needed but Eric told me anyway, "Kilmeny, this is my friend, Dr. Baker."

I smiled at Dr. Baker and held out my hand for him. Immediately, I felt at ease with this man. Dr. Baker took my hand in his and greeted me with a polite kiss, but seemed quite tongue tied. I hid a giggle at this, and it only served to relax me further. There was nothing to fear with this man. I was only a bit shy, for I had little experience with strange people. I was proud of myself, for this meeting with the doctor was vastly different from when I had met Eric himself. I had run from him, poor man! But I would not run now, no, nor did I harbour one thought of it.

I waved at Dr. Baker to invite him up the wild cherry lane back to the house. I led the way, as Dr. Baker dropped back to speak to Eric. I could not hear what he said, but I would have likely have paid little attention anyway. All my thoughts were on my hope that I might be able to speak. And to speak meant to marry the love of my life.

Eric quickly introduced his friend to Aunt and Uncle then had to leave for his school. He did however, give me a hug, and a whispered, "Good luck, Kilmeny. You're in good hands with David." He brushed a soft kiss on my temple, gave me an encouraging smile, then hurried away before he could be late.

As soon as he was gone, Dr. Baker turned brisk and professional, "I understand you prefer being called Kilmeny instead of Miss Gordon?" At my nod, he continued, "Alright, Kilmeny. I am going to examine your mouth and throat. It will not hurt you at all. I'll do it right here in this kitchen, where there is plenty of light. Would you prefer privacy, or is it alright with you if your family stays if they wish?"

I answered with my usual neat writing, "I trust you to do whatever seems good to you. And I have no objections to Aunt and Uncle staying if that is what they would like."

Aunt Janet and Uncle Thomas smiled at me encouragingly and Uncle said, "Well, I guess we'll stay. I, for one, am rather curious to see what you do. And I like to learn things, Doctor, so I'll just stay around out of the way." He then sat in a chair with Aunt Janet and watched everything that went on with curiosity.

The doctor motioned me to a seat in the best light. His voice was kind and put me at ease as he explained everything. "Please open your mouth, Kilmeny, and I'll have a look around." I did so, and listened to him as he poked around and told me exactly what he was doing. It helped my nerves so much, and it was interesting to listen to him. I could see in a moment why Eric liked him so much.

Dr. Baker first felt my jaw with his fingers, saying, "I'm pretty certain that you do not have a fracture, but one must eliminate all the causes, whether they are plausible or not." Satisfied with my jaw, he gave me a tongue depressor, which looked just like a flat stick and told me, "Bite down on this and let me know if this pains you at all." He laid the depressor down on one side of my mouth and let me bite down on it. He then twisted it and it easily snapped. He repeated it on the other side with the same result. I was puzzled at the purpose of this, and he explained, "This is what we call a tongue blade test. If you had a fracture, you wouldn't have been able to break it. I am pleased to see you, in fact, do not have a fracture."

Smiling at me, he put me at further ease with the pleased expression on his face. Now he asked, "Please open your mouth wide, Kilmeny. I'm going to check your tongue. Then I will look at your throat. Just let me know whenever something hurts or you need a break."

I gave him a smile and a nod before I opened my mouth wide for the Dr. Baker. I hoped he could see what was wrong with me. I didn't know what he could to fix my problem, and that thought was scary, but I knew it would be worth any pain or trouble. My attention was brought back to the doctor as he hummed and said, "Kilmeny, can you move your tongue from side to side, then up and down?" I did so easily, then he asked me to touch my tongue on the roof of my mouth. He nodded and said, "Good. Your frenulum looks fine. That's the little flap of skin under your tongue that attaches it to the floor of your mouth. Sometimes it's too short and it makes it difficult to speak." Now I watched as the doctor opened up a small box and held a funny looking instrument. I could see Aunt and Uncle leaning forward to see what it was too.

Dr. Baker held it up for us to see, and pride was in his voice as he told us, "This is a very new instrument. It's called a laryngoscope. It has a light inside it so we can see down throats. It has a battery in it." He turned it on for us and Uncle exclaimed to see the light that shone from it. "It's a miracle!" he said. But Dr. Baker gave him a warm smile, and told him, "Not quite, but it has been so very helpful to us. Medicine keeps turning new corners."

Turning back to me, he again asked for a wide open mouth and peered down my throat. "Breathe normally, Kilmeny. Good, nothing looks swollen. Can you say 'aaah'?"

I tried, but I couldn't. I flushed with embarrassment, but he was quick to pat me on the shoulder. "That's alright, Kilmeny. You are doing very well. Can you cough for me instead?" I did, and a very small sound came out. "Wonderful, Kilmeny. Now this may be a little uncomfortable, but I promise you it'll be over in a second." He reached in with the tongue depressor and touched something and I instantly gagged. I scrunched up my nose, and he chuckled. "Sorry. I needed to see if your vocal cords or the surrounding areas were paralyzed. They aren't, which is a good thing. The nerves look alright as well."

Now Dr. Baker pulled back and frowned at me in thought. He sighed and his voice was kind and gentle. "I won't bother testing your mental capacity… it is obvious you have a good mine and I do not see any evidence of a brain injury that would cause muteness. What this all means, Kilmeny, is that you are in perfect health. There is nothing physically wrong with you."

I stared at him in shock, my hopes having been so high, now plummeted down to my feet. I heard Aunt Janet gasp, but Uncle Thomas was direct, "Dr. Baker, what does that mean for us exactly? Can you do anything for her?"

He shook his head reluctantly. "I can do nothing for her," he said slowly. "I have a theory, but it does not matter. The fact is that I, the top throat specialist, cannot do anything for her."

I felt crushed and small, but I gave him a brave nod. Looking over at Aunt and Uncle, I could tell what they thought. It was the curse that my mother gave me. That was why I was unable to speak, and I never would. That also meant one thing: I would never marry Eric Marshall. That was a dream shattered and would never be put right again.

Dr. Baker looked guilty for not being able to help me. I could tell he had really wanted to. I barely heard Janet invite him for dinner, but I could not stay. I needed to be by myself and think things over. I smiled at him, guessing the pain shone from my eyes, because it was in my heart. I went up the stair and closed the door to my room quietly, lay on my bed, and had a good cry.

Eric would come again. That much I was certain of. This must not happen. My heart was broken, and I wanted to see him. But I knew it would be bad for both of us. He must stay away, and learn that it was for his own good. When I had calmed down enough to think, I grabbed my slate and wrote neatly on it, "Do not come anymore, Eric. I must not see you, because it would only make it harder for us both. You must go away and forget me. You will be thankful for this some day. I shall always love you and pray for you." I could not help the tears from falling and blotting some of my writing, but I could not bear to wipe it off and start again. When I was sure that the doctor was gone, I went down briefly to hand it to Aunt Janet before making my retreat back to my room again. Thankfully, they left me alone. I was sure thought that Eric would ask to see me anyway.

Sure enough, later Aunt Janet was knocking at my door. She smiled sadly at me and said, "The Master is here, Kilmeny, asking for you. He did see your note, but he wanted me to come up and ask you to see him anyway. Do you want to, child?"

Oh, but I did. But I was stubbornly determined. I was in the right to break this off now and make it a clean cut. It would hurt terribly for some time, but it would better. I could also see that Aunt Janet agreed with me and came into give me an encouraging hug, then left to tell Eric.

I was not surprised that Eric tried again the next afternoon, and again said no. I was very thankful to Uncle Thomas when he told me he had spoken to Eric and told him determinedly not to come again. He was honest and said that he liked the Master very much, and that he had been a good friend. But he agreed that if it was not to be, and I would not change my mind on the matter, that it was best for this way. I felt grateful to him that I would not be constantly hounded. I gave him a hug and the arms that wrapped around me were warm and comforting. And I also knew another thing. Even if I had lost true love, as in the love of a man, I had another that I would never, ever lose. The love of family was permanent, and never fade away with the passage of time.