`` 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 Sandy 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 . `` There 's people that always sides in with their young ones when there 's any rumpus kicked up in the school , but I do n't hold to that , and never did . You can depend on Rebecca Reid every time , Master . '' `` Thank you . I am sure I can , '' said Eric , in his most winning tones . He kept his face straight until it was safe to relax , and Mrs. Reid drove on with a soft feeling in her leathery old heart , which had been so toughened by long endurance of poverty and toil , and a husband who would n't work and could n't be made to work , that it was no longer a very susceptible organ where members of the opposite sex were concerned .
Mrs. XXXXX reflected that this young man had a way with him .
Alexander Eric Reid Sandy Solomon West creetur larning pisen right