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. Baxter indignantly . `` It 's a burning shame , that 's what it is ! I just wish she could catch the Croppers once . '' `` You have n't any proof that it is really them , Mary , '' objected her husband , `` and you should n't make reckless accusations before folks . '' `` I know very well it is them , '' retorted Mrs. Baxter , `` and so do you , Adoniram . And Mrs. Charley knows it too , although she ca n't prove it -- more 's the pity ! I do n't say Isaac Cropper steals those plums with his own hands . But he knows who does -- and the plums go into Mehitable Cropper 's preserving kettle ; there 's nothing surer . ''
`` You see , Miss Maxwell , it 's this XXXXX , '' explained Mr. Baxter , turning to Esther .
Mrs. application hands kettle man matters prejudices proof today way