Malcolm rose in his place.  Silence fell on the company; everybody looked suddenly alert and expectant, except Robert.  He still sat with bowed head, wrapped in his own bitterness.

“I have been told that I must lead off,” said Malcolm, “because I am supposed to possess the gift of gab.  But, if I do, I am not going to use it for any rhetorical effect to-day.  Simple, earnest words must express the deepest feelings of the heart in doing justice to its own.  Brothers and sisters, we meet to-day under our own roof-tree, surrounded by the benedictions of the past years.  Perhaps invisible guests are here—­the spirits of those who founded this home and whose work on earth has long been finished.  It is not amiss to hope that this is so and our family circle made indeed complete.  To each one of us who are here in visible bodily presence some measure of success has fallen; but only one of us has been supremely successful in the only things that really count—­the things that count for eternity as well as time—­sympathy and unselfishness and self-sacrifice.

“I shall tell you my own story for the benefit of those who have not heard it.  When I was a lad of sixteen I started to work out my own education.  Some of you will remember that old Mr. Blair of Avonlea offered me a place in his store for the summer, at wages which would go far towards paying my expenses at the country academy the next winter.  I went to work, eager and hopeful.  All summer I tried to do my faithful best for my employer.  In September the blow fell.  A sum of money was missing from Mr. Blair’s till.  I was suspected and discharged in disgrace.  All my neighbors believed me guilty; even some of my own family looked upon me with suspicion—­nor could I blame them, for the circumstantial evidence was strongly against me.”

Ralph and James looked ashamed; Edith and Margaret, who had not been born at the time referred to, lifted their faces innocently.  Robert did not move or glance up.  He hardly seemed to be listening.

“I was crushed in an agony of shame and despair,” continued Malcolm.  “I believed my career was ruined.  I was bent on casting all my ambitions behind me, and going west to some place where nobody knew me or my disgrace.  But there was one person who believed in my innocence, who said to me, ’You shall not give up—­you shall not behave as if you were guilty.  You are innocent, and in time your innocence will be proved.  Meanwhile show yourself a man.  You have nearly enough to pay your way next winter at the Academy.  I have a little I can give to help you out.  Don’t give in—­never give in when you have done no wrong.’