Mrs. Elwell saw him flying around , and her grim features took on a still grimmer expression . `` Ches is mighty lively tonight , '' she muttered . `` I s ` pose he 's in a gog to be off on some foolishness with Henry Wilson . Well , he wo n't , and he need n't think it . '' Lige Barton , the hired man , also thought this was Chester 's purpose , but he took a more lenient view of it than did Mrs. Elwell . `` The little chap is going through things with a rush this evening , '' he reflected . `` Guess he 's laying out for a bit of fun with the Wilson boy . '' But Chester was not planning anything connected with Henry Wilson , who lived on the other side of the pond and was the only chum he possessed . After the chores were done , he lingered a little while around the barns , getting his courage keyed up to the necessary pitch . Chester Stephens was an orphan without kith or kin in the world , unless his father 's stepsister , Mrs. Harriet Elwell , could be called so . His parents had died in his babyhood , and Mrs. Elwell had taken him to bring up . She was a harsh woman , with a violent temper , and she had scolded and worried the boy all his short life . Upton people said it was a shame , but nobody felt called upon to interfere . Mrs. Elwell was not a person one would care to make an enemy of . She eyed Chester sourly when he went in , expecting some request to be allowed to go with Henry , and prepared to refuse it sharply . `` Aunt Harriet , '' said Chester suddenly , `` can I go to school this year ? It begins tomorrow . '' `` No , '' said Mrs. Elwell , when she had recovered from her surprise at this unexpected question . `` You 've had schoolin ' in plenty -- more 'n I ever had , and all you 're goin ' to get ! '' `` But , Aunt Harriet , '' persisted Chester , his face flushed with earnestness , `` I 'm nearly thirteen , and I can barely read and write a little .
The other boys are ever so far ahead XXXXX me .
After at from of on than to unless with without