`` Well , Miss Maxwell , I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come . Forewarned is forearmed , you know . Mr. Cropper was opposed to our hiring you . Not , of course , that he had any personal objection to you , but he is set against female teachers , and when a Cropper is set there is nothing on earth can change him . He says female teachers ca n't keep order . He 's started in with a spite at you on general principles , and the boys know it . They know he 'll back them up in secret , no matter what they do , just to prove his opinions . Cropper is sly and slippery , and it is hard to corner him . '' `` Are the boys big ? '' queried Esther anxiously . `` Yes . Thirteen and fourteen and big for their age . You ca n't whip 'em -- that is the trouble . A man might , but they 'd twist you around their fingers . You 'll have your hands full , I 'm afraid . But maybe they 'll behave all right after all . '' Mr. Baxter privately had no hope that they would , but Esther hoped for the best . She could not believe that Mr. Cropper would carry his prejudices into a personal application . This conviction was strengthened when he overtook her walking from school the next day and drove her home . He was a big , handsome man with a very suave , polite manner .
He asked interestedly about her school and her work , hoped she was getting on well , and said he had two young rascals XXXXX his own to send soon .
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