On June 9th Robert Gordon's 22nd birthday, the great reception took place. The special train bearing the leading citizens of Texarkana arrived, Robert had landed at the new airport on Governor's Island without any mishap to his plane. "The St. Marie" had performed perfectly, making the trip from Japan at an average speed of over 300 miles per hour. Robert received the surprise of his life when he saw his mother and rushed to her, and after greeting her affectionately turned to shake hands with Mr. Kennelworth and Walter and seeing Mr. and Mrs. Stanton there was overjoyed and thought sure that Marie had been found. He rushed to greet her parents and his first words were, "Where is Marie?" With tears in their eyes, they informed him that not a word had been received in regard to her. They proceeded immediately to the Commodore Hotel where the reception committee and the entire delegation from Texarkana had arranged for a dinner and celebration. Robert was happy to see all the prominent business men from Texarkana there to greet him. Mr. Kennelworth made the address. Told Robert how proud Texarkana was of him; said that this was the age of the young man and that Robert had demonstrated that he was the greatest young man of his day. Robert was overwhelmed at this great reception. He thanked his friends; thanked Mr. Kennelworth, personally, and above all for bringing his dear old mother to see him; said it was the happiest moment of his life and that his one regret was that Marie was not there, but that he still had hope of finding her. When the reception was over and Robert had a few moments alone with his dear old mother, she said, "My son, do you remember the dream you had when you were a little boy, which you told me about? That you were riding a large bird with white wings across the ocean and how the foreign countries received you with great honor. My boy, when you landed today I thought about that dream and how it had been fulfilled. I hope that all of your other dreams and ambitions will be realized and that you will be rewarded with Marie's love, because you have been faithful and loyal to her." Robert said, "Mother, I do remember the dream quite well, and when I was in Japan and they gave me such great receptions and honored me, I thought of the dream and I thought of you and how you had taught me how to read the Bible and I thought of Marie and how I loved her and felt that I would gladly give all of the honors just to be with you and Marie alone because your love and Marie's love mean more to me than everything else that the world can give."