He was a small , lean old man , half lost in loose clothes that seemed far too large for him . When he spoke his voice was as thin and squeaky as he appeared to be himself . The other end of the bench was occupied by Timothy , sleek and complacent , with a snowy breast and white paws . After old Robert had taken a mouthful of anything he gave a piece to Timothy , who ate it daintily and purred resonant gratitude . `` You see we 're busy waiting for you , Master , '' said old Robert . `` You 're late this evening . Keep any of the youngsters in ? That 's a foolish way of punishing them , as hard on yourself as on them . One teacher we had four years ago used to lock them in and go home . Then he 'd go back in an hour and let them out -- if they were there . They were n't always . Tom Ferguson kicked the panels out of the old door once and got out that way . We put a new door of double plank in that they could n't kick out . '' `` I stayed in the schoolroom to do some work , '' said Eric briefly . `` Well , you 've missed Alexander Tracy . He was here to find out if you could play checkers , and , when I told him you could , he left word for you to go up and have a game some evening soon . Do n't beat him too often , even if you can . You 'll need to stand in with him , I tell you , Master , for he 's got a son that may brew trouble for you when he starts in to go to school . Seth Tracy 's a young imp , and he 'd far sooner be in mischief than eat . He tries to run on every new teacher and he 's run two clean out of the school .
But he met his match XXXXX Mr. West .
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