`` The little chap is going through things with a rush this evening , '' he reflected . `` Guess he 's laying out for a bit of fun with the Wilson boy . '' But Chester was not planning anything connected with Henry Wilson , who lived on the other side of the pond and was the only chum he possessed . After the chores were done , he lingered a little while around the barns , getting his courage keyed up to the necessary pitch . Chester Stephens was an orphan without kith or kin in the world , unless his father 's stepsister , Mrs. Harriet Elwell , could be called so . His parents had died in his babyhood , and Mrs. Elwell had taken him to bring up . She was a harsh woman , with a violent temper , and she had scolded and worried the boy all his short life . Upton people said it was a shame , but nobody felt called upon to interfere . Mrs. Elwell was not a person one would care to make an enemy of . She eyed Chester sourly when he went in , expecting some request to be allowed to go with Henry , and prepared to refuse it sharply . `` Aunt Harriet , '' said Chester suddenly , `` can I go to school this year ? It begins tomorrow . '' `` No , '' said Mrs. Elwell , when she had recovered from her surprise at this unexpected question . `` You 've had schoolin ' in plenty -- more 'n I ever had , and all you 're goin ' to get ! '' `` But , Aunt Harriet , '' persisted Chester , his face flushed with earnestness , `` I 'm nearly thirteen , and I can barely read and write a little . The other boys are ever so far ahead of me . I do n't know anything . '' `` You know enough to be disrespectful ! '' exclaimed Mrs. Elwell . `` I suppose you want to go to school to idle away your time , as you do at home -- lazy good-for-nothing that you are ! ''
XXXXX thought of the drudgery that had been his portion all his life .
Chester Elwell Henry Upton Wilson evening good-for-nothing kith schoolin stepsister