`` They are not behaving well in school . '' `` Indeed ! '' Mr. Cropper 's voice expressed bland surprise . `` That is strange . As a rule I do not think Alfred and Robert have been troublesome to their teachers . What have they been doing now ? '' `` They refuse to obey my orders , '' said Esther faintly . `` Ah , well , Miss Maxwell , perhaps you will pardon my saying that a teacher should be able to enforce her orders . My boys are high-spirited fellows and need a strong , firm hand to restrain them . I have always said I considered it advisable to employ a male teacher in Maitland school . We should have better order . Not that I disapprove of you personally -- far from it . I should be glad to see you succeed . But I have heard many complaints regarding the order in school at present . '' `` I had no trouble until your boys came , '' retorted Esther , losing her temper a little , `` and I believe that if you were willing to co-operate with me that I could govern them . '' `` Well , you see , '' said Mr. Cropper easily , `` when I send my boys to school I naturally expect that the teacher will be capable of doing the work she has been hired to do . '' `` Then you refuse to help me ? '' said Esther in a trembling voice . `` Why , my dear young lady , what can I do ? Boys soon know when they can disobey a teacher with impunity .
No doubt you will be able XXXXX secure a school easier to control and will do good work .
As Esther Maitland from in of that to until with