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 in the eyes and declared their innocence in their usual gentlemanly fashion , yet Esther felt sure that they were the guilty ones . She also knew what exaggerated accounts of the affair would be taken home to Maitland tea tables , and she felt like sitting down to cry . But she did not . Instead she set her mouth firmly , helped the children restore the room to order , and after school went up to Isaac Cropper 's house . That gentleman himself came in from the harvest field looking as courtly as usual , even in his rough working clothes . He shook hands heartily , told her he was glad to see her , and began talking about the weather . Esther was not to be turned from her object thus , although she felt her courage ebbing away from her as it always did in the presence of the Cropper imperviousness . `` I have come up to see you about Alfred and Robert , Mr. Cropper , '' she said .
`` They are not behaving well XXXXX school . ''
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