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 of his own to send soon . Esther felt relieved . She thought that Mr. Baxter had exaggerated matters a little . `` That plum tree of Mrs. Charley 's is loaded with fruit again this year , '' remarked Mr. Baxter at the tea table that evening . `` I came past it today on my way ` cross lots home from the woods . There will be bushels of plums on it . ''
`` I do n't suppose poor Mrs. Charley will get one of them any more than she ever has , '' said Mrs. XXXXX indignantly .
Baxter Charley Cropper Esther Mr. evening fingers plums right way