`` His teacher says so , and he is very eager to learn . I do n't know what can be troubling him . '' She was fated not to know for a fortnight longer . During that time Chester fought out his struggle with himself , and conquered . He must tell Miss Salome , he decided , with a long sigh . He knew that it would mean going back to Upton and Aunt Harriet and the old , hard life , but he would not sail under false colours any longer . * * * * * Chester went into the kitchen one afternoon when he came home from school , with his lips set and his jaws even squarer than usual . Miss Salome was making some of her famous taffy , and Clemantiny was spinning yarn on the big wheel . `` Miss Salome , '' said Chester desperately , `` if you 're not too busy , there is something I 'd like to tell you . '' `` What is it ? '' asked Miss Salome good-humouredly , turning to him with her spoon poised in midair over her granite saucepan . `` It 's about myself . I -- I -- oh , Miss Salome , I did n't tell you the truth about myself . I 've got to tell it now . My name is n't Benson -- exactly -- and I ran away from home . '' `` Dear me ! '' said Miss Salome mildly . She dropped her spoon , handle and all , into the taffy and never noticed it . `` Dear me , Chester ! '' `` I knew it , '' said Clemantiny triumphantly .
`` I knew it -- and I always XXXXX it .
's asked decided dropped handle know noticed said tell troubling