For, whether through lack of power or strength of will I could not tell, but certain it was that no word of any kind had so far passed between us.
One time, coming upon him unawares, I saw his lips moving as though he were attempting speech to himself, but as soon as he saw me he set himself once more to his grim silence, and the look in his eyes reminded me somehow of Krok.
On the seventh day, when the doctor asked his usual question, and I as usual replied, he said gravely, "'Cre nom-de-Dieu, I doubt if he will ever speak again.

You see--" and he went off into a very full and deep explanation about certain parts of the brain, of which I understood nothing except that they were on the left side and controlled the powers of speech, and he feared the bullet and the inflammation it had caused had damaged them beyond repair.

And when I turned to look at Torode the dumb misery in his eyes assured me in my own mind that it was so, for I had seen just that look in Krok's eyes many a time.
Another whole week I waited, visiting Krok three times in all, and the last time finding him living quite contentedly in the finished house.

And then, Torode having spoken no word, and the doctor saying he could do no more for him, I had him carried down to the boat and took him across to the Ecrehous.
He had been gaining strength daily, and, except for a certain disinclination to exertion of any kind, and his lack of speech, looked almost himself again.

Later on, when he walked and worked, I noticed a weakness in his left arm, and his left leg dragged a little.
At Krok's suggestion I had bargained for a small boat, and I took him also a further supply of provisions, and flour, and fishing-lines.