If he 's kept out of debt it 's as much as he 's ever managed to do . '' `` Some men ca n't even do that , '' murmured the little school teacher . She was really so much in awe of this imperious , clever old Aunt Isabel that it was positive heroism on her part to venture even this faint protest . `` More is expected of a Monroe , '' said Aunt Isabel majestically . `` Robert Monroe is a failure , and that is the only name for him . '' Robert Monroe stood up below the window in a dizzy , uncertain fashion . Aunt Isabel had been speaking of him ! He , Robert , was a failure , a disgrace to his blood , of whom his nearest and dearest were ashamed ! Yes , it was true ; he had never realized it before ; he had known that he could never win power or accumulate riches , but he had not thought that mattered much . Now , through Aunt Isabel 's scornful eyes , he saw himself as the world saw him -- as his brothers and sisters must see him . THERE lay the sting . What the world thought of him did not matter ; but that his own should think him a failure and disgrace was agony . He moaned as he started to walk across the yard , only anxious to hide his pain and shame away from all human sight , and in his eyes was the look of a gentle animal which had been stricken by a cruel and unexpected blow . Edith Monroe , who , unaware of Robert 's proximity , had been standing on the other side of the porch , saw that look , as he hurried past her , unseeing . A moment before her dark eyes had been flashing with anger at Aunt Isabel 's words ; now the anger was drowned in a sudden rush of tears . She took a quick step after Robert , but checked the impulse . Not then -- and not by her alone -- could that deadly hurt be healed . Nay , more , Robert must never suspect that she knew of any hurt . She stood and watched him through her tears as he went away across the low-lying shore fields to hide his broken heart under his own humble roof . She yearned to hurry after him and comfort him , but she knew that comfort was not what Robert needed now .
Justice , and justice only , could pluck out the sting , which otherwise must rankle XXXXX the death .
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