I saw him when he told the doctor he must go ; and I tell you that no man living could have set his will against Robert Monroe 's at that moment . `` Four years ago old Sarah Cooper was to be taken to the poorhouse . She was broken-hearted . One man took the poor , bed-ridden , fretful old creature into his home , paid for medical attendance , and waited on her himself , when his housekeeper could n't endure her tantrums and temper . Sarah Cooper died two years afterwards , and her latest breath was a benediction on Robert Monroe -- the best man God ever made . `` Eight years ago Jack Blewitt wanted a place . Nobody would hire him , because his father was in the penitentiary , and some people thought Jack ought to be there , too . Robert Monroe hired him -- and helped him , and kept him straight , and got him started right -- and Jack Blewitt is a hard-working , respected young man to-day , with every prospect of a useful and honorable life . There is hardly a man , woman , or child in White Sands who does n't owe something to Robert Monroe ! '' As Kathleen Bell sat down , Malcolm sprang up and held out his hands . `` Every one of us stand up and sing Auld Lang Syne , '' he cried . Everybody stood up and joined hands , but one did not sing . Robert Monroe stood erect , with a great radiance on his face and in his eyes . His reproach had been taken away ; he was crowned among his kindred with the beauty and blessing of sacred yesterdays . When the singing ceased Malcolm 's stern-faced son reached over and shook Robert 's hands . `` Uncle Rob , '' he said heartily , `` I hope that when I 'm sixty I 'll be as successful a man as you . '' `` I guess , '' said Aunt Isabel , aside to the little school teacher , as she wiped the tears from her keen old eyes , `` that there 's a kind of failure that 's the best success . '' VII . THE RETURN OF HESTER Just at dusk , that evening , I had gone upstairs and put on my muslin gown . I had been busy all day attending to the strawberry preserving -- for Mary Sloane could not be trusted with that -- and I was a little tired , and thought it was hardly worth while to change my dress , especially since there was nobody to see or care , since Hester was gone .
Mary XXXXX did not count .
Isabel Jack Malcolm Rob Sloane Syne VII evening strawberry yesterdays