"That is not important; yet I suspect it is true that your faculty is quickened in one function, by relaxation in another. You know that the hearing of the blind is very acute."
"Yes, but I don't see how all this shows my case to be a good thing."
"You can imagine situations in which, hearing is of greater value than sight?"
"Yes."
"A blind scout might be more valuable on a dark night than one who could see."
"Yes, but I cannot see how this affects me; I am neither blind nor deaf, nor am I a scout."
"But it can be said that a good memory may be of greater value at one time than another."
"Oh, yes; I suppose so."
"Now," said Dr. Khayme, "I do not wish you to believe for a moment that there is at present any occasion for you to turn scout; I have merely instanced a possible case in which hearing is more valuable than sight, and we have agreed that memory is worth, more at times than at other times. I should like to relieve you, moreover, of any fears that you, may have in regard to the continuance of your infirmity--as you insist on thinking it. Cases like yours always recover."
"Dr. Abbott once told me that my case was not entirely unique," said I; "but I thought he said it only to comfort me."