The Master of Lindsay School 
     
    
   
   
    
     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 
     
     don’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 en— 
     
     durance of poverty and toil, and a hus- 
     
     band who wouldn’t work and couldn’t be 
     
     made to work, that it was no longer a 
     
    
   
   
    
     37