“I’ll find a way. You shall not be a burden to those poor children, if there is any justice in the world.”
“There ain’t. Justice is a mockery. The meaner rascal a man is the better show he has.”
“That may be your belief, but it is not mine.”
“There is some law, an’ I reckon it’ll appoint me as guardeen of my dear nevvy and niece, who need somebody to look out for them properly. That’s what’ll happen.”
“You may apply, but you’ll not succeed in getting appointed.”
“Why not?”
“Because I shall appear and show that you are thoroughly incompetent and unable to take care of yourself, much less two other persons. I have all the proof that is necessary. Your game is to rob them, which can be made very apparent. The boy is lame and the girl is blind. They are trying to save some money that her eyes may be treated, and you would take that away from them. You are even worse than I thought you could be!”
Frank was highly indignant, and old Joe cowered a bit before his flashing eyes.
“Well,” he snarled, “if I don’t get appointed as guardeen, I’ll show that you are beatin’ them, and they’ll be taken care of, that’s all.”
Frank knew it was useless to appeal to the man’s generosity, and so he said: