To my surprise, they had become so wonderfully quiet in their movements, that they opened the door or stirred the fire, without making the slightest noise.

I intended to ask them what it meant; I had even begun to put the question, when I was startled by another discovery relating this time to myself.

I was certain that I had spoken--and yet, I had not heard myself speak! As well as my weakness would let me, I called to the nurses in my loudest tones.

"Has anything happened to my voice ?" I asked.

The two women consulted together, looking at me with pity in their eyes.