Far below the fields a calm ocean slept bluely , and sighed in its sleep , with the murmur that rings for ever in the ear of those whose good fortune it is to have been born within the sound of it . Now and then Eric met some callow , check-shirted , bare-legged lad on horseback , or a shrewd-faced farmer in a cart , who nodded and called out cheerily , `` Howdy , Master ? '' A young girl , with a rosy , oval face , dimpled cheeks , and pretty dark eyes filled with shy coquetry , passed him , looking as if she would not be at all averse to a better acquaintance with the new teacher . Half way down the hill Eric met a shambling , old gray horse drawing an express wagon which had seen better days . The driver was a woman : she appeared to be one of those drab-tinted individuals who can never have felt a rosy emotion in all their lives . She stopped her horse , and beckoned Eric over to her with the knobby handle of a faded and bony umbrella . `` Reckon you 're the new Master , ai n't you ? '' she asked . Eric admitted that he was . `` Well , I 'm glad to see you , '' she said , offering him a hand in a much darned cotton glove that had once been black . `` I was right sorry to see Mr. West go , for he was a right good teacher , and as harmless , inoffensive a creetur as ever lived . But I always told him every time I laid eyes on him that he was in consumption , if ever a man was . YOU look real healthy -- though you ca n't aways tell by looks , either . I had a brother complected like you , but he was killed in a railroad accident out west when he was real young . `` I 've got a boy I 'll be sending to school to you next week . He 'd oughter gone this week , but I had to keep him home to help me put the pertaters in ; for his father wo n't work and does n't work and ca n't be made to work . `` Sandy -- his full name is Edward Alexander -- called after both his grandfathers -- hates the idee of going to school worse 'n pisen -- always did . But go he shall , for I 'm determined he 's got to have more larning hammered into his head yet . I reckon you 'll have trouble with him , Master , for he 's as stupid as an owl , and as stubborn as Solomon 's mule . But mind this , Master , I 'll back you up .
You just lick XXXXX good and plenty when he needs it , and send me a scrape of the pen home with him , and I 'll give him another dose .
Alexander Eric Sandy accident callow creetur days larning pertaters right