Later in the evening the directors came. Family pressure was strong, and with reluctance Elizabeth accepted the month yet to be taught. It would help with the interest, and that interest clouded the family sky to the horizon on every side now. Elizabeth was divided between a fear of inability to manage a demoralized school and the desire to add twenty-five dollars to the family revenue. In anticipation she saw the unruly boys supported and encouraged in insubordination by such as Sadie Crane, who was jealously ready to resent her--a former playmate--in the role of authority. And to put herself right with the governing board Elizabeth told the new director--Sadie's own father--her fears on that score. "They have played with me and we have had the sort of quarrels all children have, Mr. Crane, and I may not be able to manage them." Lon Crane was ignorant and uncouth, but big of heart, and the openness of the discussion pleased him. "You jest take that school, young lady, an' I'll see that my end of th' thing's kep' up. I'll come over there an thrash every mother's son of 'em if I have t'. I'd kind o' like t' lick a few of 'em anyhow, an' if my young ones give any trouble, you jes' stop in on your way home an' I'll see that it don't never happen ag'in." Half the battle was won; she let him hold her hand a moment at leave-taking while he reinforced his remarks by many repetitions. "Don't you worry, Sis," he repeated as he backed out of the door; "you needn't be afraid; this here school board's at your back. We know it's a bad school, but, by ginger! we'll see that you're stood by. You jes' let me know if that there Jake Ransom tries any more monkeyshines and I'll tan his hide till It'll be good for shoe leather." It occurred to Elizabeth that every word they were saying would be carried to the boy long before Monday morning and that a bad matter might from the very goodness of the teller's intentions be made worse. "How old did you say the Ransom boy was?" she asked with concern. "Fifteen--and a stinker if there ever was one." "Then I think maybe I'll have a show. I thought he was older than that," she said diplomatically. "Now may I ask that what we have said be kept quiet? I would rather like to have a fair show with him--and I'll admit I'd like to be on good terms. Promise me that what we have said may be a secret even from your own family till after Monday." Elizabeth went forward and spoke confidentially. The man liked her even better than before. "I'll do it, by jing!" he exclaimed. "They'll be wantin' t' know soon's ever I get home what we done about it, an' fur once they'll suck their thumbs. Look out fur that boy, though; he's a black sheep that lives around in any flock; ain't got no home. I'll help if I'm needed."