"Good afternoon, sir," answered Frank, gravely.
"The old fellow is very familiar," said Ben, when Mr. Craven had passed out of the gate.
"He is more familiar than I like," answered Frank. "I don't know why it is, Ben, but I can't help disliking him."
He had reason to dislike Mr. Craven, and he was destined to have still further cause, though he did not know it at the time.
CHAPTER III.
UNWELCOME NEWS.
Shortly after Mr. Craven's departure, Ben announced that he must be going. Left alone, Frank went into the house. He felt rather sober, for though he did not believe that his mother was in any danger of marrying again—least of all, Mr. Craven—the mere possibility disturbed him.
"Is mother up stairs, Katy?" he asked.
"Yes," said Katy, looking very knowing. "She went up as soon as Mr. Craven went away."