His boys were neither fond of him nor obedient to his control, and the fact that Jeffreys' boys were both was additional proof that there was something wrong.
"Do you suppose he can't manage to take you in, ma?
Of course, any one could." "But he makes himself very pleasant, and studies, and keeps very quiet out of school." "Of course.

Isn't that what I tell you?
He's hiding.

What do you suppose he skulks away into town for once a week--eh ?" "Not to drink, I do hope ?" said the lady.
"Whatever it is, I mean to get to the bottom of it, for the sake of the school," said Jonah.

"Fancy the mess we'd get into if it got known we had a shady character here as a teacher!" "But, Jonah, dear, it's only suspicion.

He may be all right." "Oh, anything _may_ be," retorted the philosophic Jonah.