Such as took the trouble to ask their boys questions found that they had acquired a real grasp of the subjects, and that they were able to answer clearly and intelligently.
The consequence was, the house was filled with its full complement of fifty boarders, and indeed Mr.Porson was obliged to refuse several applications for want of room.

As he had not the same objection as his predecessor to receive home boarders, the numbers were swelled by eighteen boys whose parents resided in Marsden.
To meet the increased demands upon his teaching powers Mr.Porson engaged two ushers, both of them young men who had just left Durham.
They were both pleasant and gentlemanly young fellows; and as Mr.Porson insisted that his own mode of teaching should be adopted, the change did not alter the pleasant state of things which had prevailed during the past half year.

Both the ushers were fond of cricket, and one turned out to be at least equal to Mr.Porson as a bowler.

Therefore the boys looked forward to their match with Marsden with some confidence.
Captain Sankey saw with great pleasure the steady improvement which was taking place in Ned's temper.

It was not to be expected that the boy would at once overcome a fault of such long standing, but the outbursts were far less frequent, and it was evident that he was putting a steady check upon himself; so that his father looked forward to the time when he would entirely overcome the evil consequences engendered by his unchecked and undisciplined childhood..