"Thought I'd better rake 'em in, introduce myself to 'em, and get 'em to know me before school begins.

Excuse me," he went on hastily, "but I've a lot more coming up, and I'd better make myself square with them OUTSIDE." But Mrs.Martin had apparently developed a certain degree of stiffness since their evening's interview.
"It seems to me quite as important, Mr.Twing," she said drily, "that you should first learn some of your own duties, which I came here early to teach you." "Not at all," he said cheerfully.

"Today I take my seat, as I've arranged it, you see, over there with them, and watch 'em go through the motions.

One rehearsal's enough for ME.

At the same time, I can chip in if necessary." And before she could reply he was out of the schoolhouse again, hailing the new-comers.