`` 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 to secure a school easier to control and will do good work . But here , as I have already said , we need a firm hand at the helm . But you are not going yet , Miss Maxwell ? You need some refreshment after your long walk . Mrs. Cropper will bring you in something . '' `` No , thank you , '' said poor Esther . She felt that she must get away at once or she would burst into heartsick tears under those steely , bland blue eyes . When she got home she shut herself up in her room and cried . There was nothing for her to do but resign , she thought dismally . On the following Saturday Esther went for an afternoon walk , carrying her kodak with her . It was a brilliantly fine autumn day , and woods and fields were basking in a mellow haze . Esther went across lots to Mrs. Charley Cropper 's house , intending to make a call . But the house was locked up and evidently deserted , so she rambled past it to the back fields . Passing through a grove of maples she came out among leafy young saplings on the other side .
Just beyond her , XXXXX its laden boughs hanging over the line fence , was the famous plum tree .
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