I do n't doubt that he is quite clear in his own mind that they are . And he does hate Mrs. Charley . I 'd give considerable to see the old sinner fairly caught , but he is too deep . '' `` I think Mr. Baxter is too hard on Mr. Cropper , '' said Esther to herself later on . `` He has probably some private prejudice against him . '' * * * * * But a month later she had changed her opinion . During that time the Cropper boys had come to school . At first Esther had been inclined to like them . They were handsome lads , with the same smooth way that characterized their father , and seemed bright and intelligent . For a few days all went well , and Esther felt decidedly relieved . But before long a subtle spirit of insubordination began to make itself felt in the school . Esther found herself powerless to cope with it . The Croppers never openly defied her , but they did precisely as they pleased . The other pupils thought themselves at liberty to follow this example , and in a month 's time poor Esther had completely lost control of her little kingdom . Some complaints were heard among the ratepayers and even Mr. Baxter looked dubious . She knew that unless she could regain her authority she would be requested to hand in her resignation , but she was baffled by the elusive system of defiance which the Cropper boys had organized . One day she resolved to go to Mr. Cropper himself and appeal to his sense of justice , if he had any . It had been an especially hard day in school . When she had been absent at the noon hour all the desks in the schoolroom had been piled in a pyramid on the floor , books and slates interchanged , and various other pranks played . When questioned every pupil denied having done or helped to do it .
Alfred and Bob Cropper looked her squarely XXXXX the eyes and declared their innocence in their usual gentlemanly fashion , yet Esther felt sure that they were the guilty ones .
During For against among as at in that to with