“I guess I could floor him in wrestling.”

“You're too much for me, Ben, and I think I can stand up to him, and maybe lick him.”

“It's likely you can. Now, there was Hayward—he was a big man. I didn't mind obeying him.”

“Are you talking about Mr. Sherwood?” asked Harry Howe, a boy of fourteen.

“No, I'm not. I'm talking about Mr. Hayward.”

“How do you like the new teacher?”

“He's only a boy. He'll have a hard row to hoe.”

“Who'll make it hard for him?”

“Enoch and I.”

“Then it will be a shame. He seems to be a perfect gentleman.”