`` Sandy -- his full name is Edward Alexander -- called after both his grandfathers -- hates the idee of going to school worse 'n pisen -- always did . But go he shall , for I 'm determined he 's got to have more larning hammered into his head yet . I reckon you 'll have trouble with him , Master , for he 's as stupid as an owl , and as stubborn as Solomon 's mule . But mind this , Master , I 'll back you up . You just lick Sandy good and plenty when he needs it , and send me a scrape of the pen home with him , and I 'll give him another dose . `` There 's people that always sides in with their young ones when there 's any rumpus kicked up in the school , but I do n't hold to that , and never did . You can depend on Rebecca Reid every time , Master . '' `` Thank you . I am sure I can , '' said Eric , in his most winning tones . He kept his face straight until it was safe to relax , and Mrs. Reid drove on with a soft feeling in her leathery old heart , which had been so toughened by long endurance of poverty and toil , and a husband who would n't work and could n't be made to work , that it was no longer a very susceptible organ where members of the opposite sex were concerned . Mrs. Reid reflected that this young man had a way with him . Eric already knew most of the Lindsay folks by sight ; but at the foot of the hill he met two people , a man and a boy , whom he did not know . They were sitting in a shabby , old-fashioned wagon , and were watering their horse at the brook , which gurgled limpidly under the little plank bridge in the hollow . Eric surveyed them with some curiosity . They did not look in the least like the ordinary run of Lindsay people . The boy , in particular , had a distinctly foreign appearance , in spite of the gingham shirt and homespun trousers , which seemed to be the regulation , work-a-day outfit for the Lindsay farmer lads . He had a lithe , supple body , with sloping shoulders , and a lean , satiny brown throat above his open shirt collar . His head was covered with thick , silky , black curls , and the hand that hung down by the side of the wagon was unusually long and slender . His face was richly , though somewhat heavily featured , olive tinted , save for the cheeks , which had a dusky crimson bloom . His mouth was as red and beguiling as a girl 's , and his eyes were large , bold and black .
All XXXXX all , he was a strikingly handsome fellow ; but the expression of his face was sullen , and he somehow gave Eric the impression of a sinuous , feline creature basking in lazy grace , but ever ready for an unexpected spring .
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