"I don't know but you could, Katy," said Frank, glancing at the muscular arms and powerful frame of the handmaiden; "but I really hope you won't get into a fight," he added, smiling. "It wouldn't look well, you know."
"Then he'd better not interfare wid me," said Katy, shaking her head.
"You must remember that he will be master of the house, Katy."
"But he sha'n't be master of Katy O'Grady," said that lady, in a very decided tone.
"I don't suppose you'll have much to do with him," said Frank.
He sympathized with Katy more than he was willing to acknowledge, and wondered how far Mr. Craven would see fit to exercise the authority of a step-father. He meant to treat him with the respect due to his mother's husband, but to regard him as a father was very repugnant to him. But he must be guided by circumstances, and he earnestly hoped that he would be able to live peacefully and harmoniously with Mr. Craven.
Days passed, and at length Frank received a dispatch, announcing the return home.
"They will be home to-night, Katy," he said.
"I'll be glad to see your mother, shure," said Katy, "but I wish that man wasn't comin' wid her."
"But we know he is, and we must treat him with respect."