"I hope he won't be led astray. I should feel wretched if I thought anything would befall him," said his mother, shuddering.
"We will look after him; we will see that he goes straight," said Mr. Craven, cheerfully. "But I wanted to suggest, my dear, that it would be proper that I should be appointed joint guardian with you."
"I am not sure whether Frank will like it," said his mother, who was aware that Frank, though scrupulously polite to his step-father, had no cordial liking or respect for him.
"As to that, my dear, I count upon you exerting your influence in the matter. If you recommend it he will yield."
"Don't you think it just as well as it is?" said Mrs. Craven, hesitatingly. "Of course, we shall go to you for counsel and advice in anything important."
"You don't seem to have confidence in me," said Mr. Craven, with an injured air.
"I hope you won't think that, Mr. Craven," said his wife, hastily.
"How can I help it? You know my interest in Frank, yet you are unwilling to have me associated in the guardianship."
"I didn't say I objected. I said Frank might."
"You are not willing to urge him to favor the measure."