`` Then you 'll get it all at once in its best shape . '' Robert delved into the treasures of the life-book and used them freely . He dreamed and brooded over lost Margaret until she became a vivid reality to him and lived in his pages . As the book progressed it took possession of him and he worked at it with feverish eagerness . He let me read the manuscript and criticize it ; and the concluding chapter of the book , which the critics later on were pleased to call idyllic , was modelled after my suggestions , so that I felt as if I had a share in it too . It was autumn when the book was finished . Robert went back to town , but Mother and I decided to stay at Golden Gate all winter . We loved the spot and , besides , I wished to remain for Uncle Jesse 's sake . He was failing all the time , and after Robert went and the excitement of the book-making was past , he failed still more rapidly . His tramping expeditions were over and he seldom went out in his boat . Neither did he talk a great deal . He liked to come over and sit silently for hours at our seaward window , looking out wistfully toward the Gate with his swiftly whitening head leaning on his hand . The only keen interest he still had was in Robert 's book . He waited and watched impatiently for its publication . `` I want to live till I see it , '' he said , `` just that long -- then I 'll be ready to go . He said it would be out in the spring -- I must hang on till it comes , Mary . '' There were times when I doubted sadly if he would `` hang on . '' As the winter wore away he grew frailer and frailer . But ever he looked forward to the coming of spring and `` the book , '' his book , transformed and glorified . One day in young April the book came at last .
Uncle Jesse had gone to the post office faithfully every day for a month , expecting it , but this day he was too feeble XXXXX go and I went for him .
As after at besides if in on over to with