He heard absently indistinct voices at the open hall window above the porch , where Aunt Isabel was talking to Kathleen Bell . Presently Aunt Isabel moved nearer to the window , and her words came down to Robert with startling clearness . `` Yes , I can assure you , Miss Bell , that I 'm real proud of my nephews and nieces . They 're a smart family . They 've almost all done well , and they had n't any of them much to begin with . Ralph had absolutely nothing and to-day he is a millionaire . Their father met with so many losses , what with his ill-health and the bank failing , that he could n't help them any . But they 've all succeeded , except poor Robert -- and I must admit that he 's a total failure . '' `` Oh , no , no , '' said the little teacher deprecatingly . `` A total failure ! '' Aunt Isabel repeated her words emphatically . She was not going to be contradicted by anybody , least of all a Bell from Avonlea . `` He has been a failure since the time he was born . He is the first Monroe to disgrace the old stock that way . I 'm sure his brothers and sisters must be dreadfully ashamed of him . He has lived sixty years and he has n't done a thing worth while . He ca n't even make his farm pay . 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 XXXXX a Monroe , '' said Aunt Isabel majestically .
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